The government set up the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, but freedom of the press is not guaranteed, according to the executive director of the Reporters’ Committee for Freedom of the Press Wednesday.

Jane Kirtley said anyone has the right to get documents and computer information because of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

“The problem is the government constantly changes rules on us (reporters) and it is totally inappropriate,” said Kirtley. “We have no protection,” she said.

Kirtley said the FOIA does not require the government to reveal key terms needed to get computer information and Congress has not done anything about this.

She said getting information from the government is difficult but not impossible.

“The government manipulates the media,” Kirtley said. Reagan used his charisma to woo the public, she said.

She said some Washington reporters and staff played golf with government officials which is unethical.

NIU Journalism Professor Albert Walker said private businesses are easier to get information from because they reveal key terms.

Walker said information such as a person’s criminal record will not be given to an individual by the government but will be given by businesses if the information is already public knowledge.

“The government uses a great deal of acronyms,” said one womam who attended the lecture. This adds problems for reporters because it is hard for reporters and readers to comprehend, she said.

Kirtley said an individual’s privacy is more important than society’s right to information unless it serves the public good.