Changes

As noted, while leaking is illegal, cabinet secretaries, agency heads, [[White House]] and [[National Security Council]] staff, even [[president]]s personally have been known to leak secret information, often piecemeal, as a way to lessen the impact and shape public opinion about controversial actions of the Executive Branch. These types of leaks are often cited as "Senior officials."

As noted, while leaking is illegal, cabinet secretaries, agency heads, [[White House]] and [[National Security Council]] staff, even [[president]]s personally have been known to leak secret information, often piecemeal, as a way to lessen the impact and shape public opinion about controversial actions of the Executive Branch. These types of leaks are often cited as "Senior officials."

A [[symbiotic]] relationship develops between [[journalist]]s and their sources: the journalist needs the source to "scoop" the competition and meet broadcast or print deadlines with fresh news, and the source can extend his power and influence outside a government office by shaping public perceptions and events. Ego, career advancement, or [[ideology]] can motivate a low-level leaker, whereas lessening the impact of a secret and controversial policy decisions, rather than have it erupt all at once in [[scandal]]ous headlines, can be the motivation of a "Senior official."

A [[symbiotic]] relationship develops between [[journalist]]s and their sources: the journalist needs the source to "scoop" the competition and meet broadcast or print deadlines with fresh news, and the source can extend his power and influence outside a government office by shaping public perceptions and events. Ego, career advancement, or [[ideology]] can motivate a low-level leaker; whereas lessening the impact of a controversial policy decisions, rather than have it erupt all at once in [[scandal]]ous headlines, can be the motivation of a "Senior official."

Office politics among [[Civil Service Commission|civil servant]]s can cause leaking; while the civil service is supposedly independent and neutral with a [[bi-partisan]] staff, when faced with a slow moving or deadlocked decision a policy staff must make, one member may try to extend their personal power and influence by reaching outside the normal decision making process, and bring public pressure to bare, by leaking.  

Office politics among [[Civil Service Commission|civil servant]]s can cause leaking; while the civil service is supposedly independent and neutral with a [[bi-partisan]] staff, when faced with a slow moving or deadlocked decision a policy staff must make, one member may try to extend their personal power and influence by reaching outside the normal decision making process, and bring public pressure to bare, by leaking.  

[[Category:Government]][[category:Journalism]]

[[Category:Government]][[category:Journalism]]