US intelligence officers were banned from communicating with journalists without a visa of the authorities

The US authorities banned employees of 17 agencies related to intelligence activities to speak on professional topics with journalists without the permission of the leadership, writes The New York Times.

The relevant directive was signed by the US National Intelligence Director James Clapper on March 20, but it became known only now thanks to Steven Aftergud from the Federation of American scientists.

According to Aftergud, the document does not conduct differences between secret and unexpected information and implies the need to obtain permission in case of communicating with reporters on any issues related to intelligence.

Observers consider this ban as one of the measures taken by the American authorities in order to prevent leaks like those that became possible due to Bradley Manning and Edward Snowden.