Principles of Intelligence Transparency for the Intelligence Community

PRINCIPLES
OF

INTELLIGENCE

TRANSPARENCY
FOR THE

INTELLIGENCE
COMMUNITY

The Principles of Intelligence
Transparency for the Intelli-
gence Community (IC) are in-
tended to facilitate IC decisions
on making information pub-
licly available in a manner that
enhances public understanding
of intelligence activities, while
continuing to protect informa-
tion when disclosure would
harm national security. These
Principles do not modify or su-
persede applicable laws, execu-
tive orders, and directives, in-
cluding Executive Order 13526,
Classified National Security
Information. Instead, they ar-
ticulate the general norms that
elements of the IC should
follow in implementing those
authorities and requirements.

The Intelligence Community will:

|. Provide appropriate transparency to enhance public

understanding about:

a. the IC's mission and what the IC does to accomplish it
(including its structure and effectiveness);

b. the laws, directives, authorities, and policies that govern
the IC's activities; and

c. the compliance and oversight framework that ensures
intelligence activities are conducted in accordance with
applicable rules.

2. Be proactive and clear in making information publicly

available through authorized channels, including taking

affirmative steps to:

a. provide timely transparency on matters of public interest;

b. prepare information with sufficient clarity and context, so
that it is readily understandable;

c. make information accessible to the public through a range
of communications channels, such as those enabled by
new technology;

d. engage with stakeholders to better explain information
and to understand diverse perspectives; and

e. In appropriate circumstances, describe why information
cannot be made public.

. In protecting information about intelligence sources,

methods, and activities from unauthorized disclosure, ensure
that IC professionals consistently and diligently execute
their responsibilities to:

a. classify only that information which, if disclosed without
authorization, could be expected to cause identifiable or
describable damage to the national security;

b. never classify information to conceal violations of law,
inefficiency, or administrative error, or to prevent
embarrassment;

c. distinguish, through portion marking and similar means,
classified and unclassified information; and

d. consider the public interest to the maximum extent
feasible when making classification determinations, while
continuing to protect information as necessary to
maintain intelligence effectiveness, protect the safety of
those who work for or with the IC, or otherwise protect
national security.

4. Align IC roles, resources, processes, and policies to support

robust implementation of these principles, consistent with
applicable laws, executive orders, and directives.