PROTECTION FOR CIA AGENTS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP88-01070R000100240028-9
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 18, 2007
• Sequence Number: 28
• Publication Date: June 23, 1982
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

Approved For Release 2007/05/21: CIA-RDP88-01070R000100240028-9
"'RADIO TV REPORTS, INC.
4701 WILLARD AVENUE, CHEVY CHASE, MARYLAND 20815 656-4068
Metromedia News STATION WTTG TV
June 23, 1982 10:00 PM
Washington, DC
SUBJECT Protection for CIA Agents
GLORIA GIBSON: The Central Intelligence Agency in
Langley, Virginia opened its gates today for a rare public
glimpse inside. Among those there, President Reagan. He was
there to sign a bill offering some protection to American CIA
agents.
Metromedia 5's Barry Cunningham reports.
BARRY CUNNINGHAM: American spy masters, past and
present, gathered at the Central Intelligence Agency. While
inside the headquarters building, President Reagan delivered a
special message of thanks to several hundred top secret agents.
The spies were kept hidden to protect their identities from
television cameras. It was to protect covert agents from
exposure in printed publications that the President came to the
CIA.
Several hundred intelligence employees in less sensitive
jobs were permitted to be seen on the grounds of Langley,
Virginia as the President defended the agency against controver-
sies of the past.
PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN: You are the trip-wire across
which the forces of repression and tyranny must stumble in their
quest for global domination. You, the men and women of the CIA,
are the eyes and ears of the free world. Like those who are part
of any silent service, your sacrifices are sometimes unapprecia-
ted, your work is sometimes misunderstood.
CUNNINGHAM: The bill signed by the President makes it a
federal crime, punishable up to ten years in prison, to disclose
the name of any American spy.
OFFICES IN: WASHINGTON D.C. ? NEW YORK ? LOS ANGELES ? CHICAGO ? DETROIT ? AND OTHER PRINCIPAL CITIES
Material supplied by Radio N Reports, Inc. may be used for file and reference purposes only. It may not be reproduced, sold or publicly demonstrated or exhibited.
Approved For Release 2007/05/21: CIA-RDP88-01070R000100240028-9
 Approved For Release 2007/05/21: CIA-RDP88-0107OR000100240028-9
CUNNINGHAM: It's law, but defenders of the First Amend-
ment say it's bad law. They plan to challenge in court one
section that would punish journalists for divulging the names of
agents from public documents. Civil libertarians say that chill-
ing effect would have prevented the investigation of Watergate.
At CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia, this is Barry
Cunningham.
Approved For Release 2007/05/21: CIA-RDP88-010708000100240028-q