(Ft) Drum says it’s not censoring, just protecting government computers

[unhappycamper]

http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20140823/NEWS03/140829477

Drum says it’s not censoring, just protecting government computers
By GORDON BLOCK
TIMES STAFF WRITER
PUBLISHED: SATURDAY, AUGUST 23, 2014 AT 12:30 AM

FORT DRUM — A new report suggests the military has banned sites like The Intercept, which specializes in leaking classified government material.

However, Fort Drum officials said they did not have any information about any restrictions for personnel visiting the site, only guidelines for protecting its government computers under Army policy.

The report from firstlook.org indicated that its site, which specializes in reports using leaked government information, was banned by the military in what it described as an attempt to censor its reporting.

The report cited personnel from all branches who said that the site was made inaccessible for “operational reasons.”

[merrily]

1. Exactly what does banning a site mean?

Mr. Block doesn't tell us what it means.

Is this all it is?

Julie Halpin, director of the post’s public affairs office, said she did not have any indication about any bans of specific websites. She said soldiers and Department of Defense civilians are advised not to view any sites with classified materials with their government computers, including news sites that include such information in their reporting.

Due to regulations about classified materials, users working on a computer with a Nonsecure Internet Protocol on a Router Network, or NIPR, are not allowed to see the restricted material, which is accessed on a Secret Internet Protocol Router Network, which has much higher restrictions on access and use.

If so, it does not seem unreasonable and I am proud to be a First Amendment hawk.

[cantbeserious]

2. Petty, Petty, Petty

eom