Covering the CIA in Times of Crisis

Abstract

In the wake of two catastrophic intelligence failures—9/11 and the yet-to-be-found weapons of mass destruction in Iraq—American intelligence is reeling. This article examines how the U.S. press fared in covering the intelligence community before and after those events. It also explores what the obstacles are that now face journalists and what the stakes are. At no time has covering the intelligence community been more demanding or more important. Ironically, the obstacles that face both reporters and intelligence officers are much the same. The article closes with some suggested strategies and approaches gleaned from the most successful intelligence reporting.