Willard.pdf

The Willard Report, dated March 31, 1982, addresses the issue of unauthorized disclosures of classified information. The report, led by Chairman Richard K. Willard, notes that such disclosures have increased in severity over the past decade, damaging national security interests and raising questions about the government's ability to protect sensitive secrets. The report limits its scope to disclosures without apparent foreign power involvement, excluding espionage, authorized disclosures, leaks of unclassified information, and negligence. It emphasizes that "friendly" leaks by high-ranking officials without declassification authority are unlawful. The report highlights the lack of a single statute criminalizing unauthorized disclosures, suggesting Congress enact a law providing criminal penalties for government employees who disclose classified information without authorization. It also recommends greater use of secrecy agreements, improved security measures, and agency-specific policies regulating contacts between journalists and employees with access to classified information.