Pentagon to Allow Military Broad Access to Social-Media Sites, Reversing 3-Year-Old Directive

[babylonsister]

Pentagon to Allow Military Broad Access to Social-Media Sites
February 26, 2010, 7:37 PM EST


By Tony Capaccio

Feb. 26 (Bloomberg) -- The Pentagon reversed an almost three-year-old directive that blocked access from military computers to about 10 social-networking sites, such as YouTube and MySpace.

Soldiers, sailors and airmen will have unrestricted access to these and other sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, if security precautions are applied and ethical guidelines are followed, Deputy Defense Secretary William Lynn said today in announcing the new policy.

The military’s unclassified Internet gateway “shall be configured to provide access to Internet-based capabilities,” he said in a nine-page policy memo released today.

“Official uses of Internet-based capabilities are permitted,” Lynn said. Postings should include a disclaimer “when personal opinions are expressed.”

Lynn’s directive applies to all military computers used by troops ranging from the squad level in combat zone to a base in the U.S.

more...

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-02-26/pentagon-to-allow-military-broad-access-to-social-media-sites.html

[northofdenali]

1. Good.

Maybe, just maybe, we can ween our military off Faux News and Rush Limpballs with better access.

[babylonsister]

2. That's a great point I never thought of. Alternatives to faux & rushbo would

certainly be a positive.