Media groups warn cybersecurity bill could lead to more secrecy

A coalition of media advocacy groups on Thursday warned that a cybersecurity bill could allow for more government secrecy.

"[The bill would] create unnecessary, overbroad and unwise limitations to access of information, including broad exemptions to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), and jeopardize the rights of whistleblowers," the groups wrote.

The Cybersecurity Act, introduced by Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) on Tuesday, would give the Homeland Security Department regulatory authority to ensure that companies with computer systems crucial to the nation's economic and physical security meet certain security standards.

"Critical infrastructure information" is already exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, which allows members of the public to request documents from the government.

The media groups argued that by expanding the definition of "critical infrastructure information," the cybersecurity bill would exempt more records from public disclosure. 

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) plans to bring the legislation straight to the Senate floor without any committee markups. 

The bill's backers note that Congress has been considering cybersecurity legislation for several years and that the bill incorporates elements from other measures that have already been through the committee process.

"We urge you to not fast track this bill," the groups wrote. "The unaddressed issues we have identified demand a more careful and thorough consideration."

A spokeswoman for the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee said the the bill's sponsors plan to work with the media groups and other critics of the legislation before the bill comes to a vote in the Senate.

"We understand that there's a need to balance transparency and make sure that our critical infrastructure information is secure," she said. "We will continue to work with groups and experts to strike the right balance."

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