“We believe such a plan, if instituted, would be a serious wrong turn for the United States,” ASNE President Tim J. McGuire said in a letter to Rumsfeld.

Here is the full text of the letter.

“The American Society of Newspaper Editors writes out of concern over news reports that the Defense Department is considering a plan that could include distribution of disinformation to foreign media organizations.

“We believe such a plan, if instituted, would be a serious wrong turn for the United States.  Additionally, it would severely wound the Pentagon’s own strong and trusted public affairs operation.

“Journalists in this country and around the globe rely upon and trust Pentagon spokespersons. At this time in our history maintaining that trust is hugely important.

“ASNE understands that the United States needs to spread its message many ways to many different groups of people around the globe. And we know that you as well as other branches of government are involved in this process.

“Our concern, as the nation’s largest group of editors, is that the use of disinformation under the guise of press releases would be the wrong course for a nation that seeks to maintain moral high ground. And, not incidentally, it is important for this nation to hew to the First Amendment values that are a beacon of freedom in our democratic society.”

ASNE, with about 850 members, is the largest organization of directing editors of daily newspapers in the Americas. It is a leader in improving diversity in newsrooms, strengthening newspaper credibility and improving high school journalism.

For more information, contact Kevin Wilcox, communications director, ASNE, 703-453-1132, kwilcox@asne.org.