Colby suggests jail terms for those leaking secrets

September 14, 1983

William Colby, former CIA director, said government officials who disclose classified information should be subject to criminal penalties. Mr. Colby made the recommendation Tuesday at a hearing of the Senate Government Operations Committee, which is reviewing President Reagan's national security directive issued last April. The order requires prepublication review of any material written by former government officials with access to classified information and allows the use of lie detectors to investigate leaks.

Several committee members said they were concerned the order would conflict with the freedom of the press provisions of the Constitution and limit public information about government activities.