Media groups warn cybersecurity bill could lead to more secrecy

A coalition of media advocacy groups 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. "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.