Government secrecy getting worse, former reporter tells UTC students

photo Dan Lothian, center, talks with Paul Faulkner, left, and Diana Faulkner after speaking Monday at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Paul Faulkner was Lothian's choral teacher at Tennessee Temple University.

Promises of transparency and free-flowing information that President Barack Obama made when he took office are falling flat, former CNN White House correspondent Dan Lothian told an audience of college students Monday.

Further, the administration's perceived lockdown on communication has become a road map for government secrecy across the nation and, Lothian said, it will be up to upcoming journalists to hold government accountable.

Lothian was the first of a series of guest lecturers at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He shared stories about the start of his journalism career as a reporter with WDEF News 12 here reporting on Erlanger Health System's first helicopter, up to his five-year stint reporting in the Obama White House.

"People assume as White House correspondents we have plenty of access to the president," Lothian said. "No matter how much access we get, it's never enough."

Lothian told students seeking jobs in communication or media that jockeying for access to officials and information will be an everyday struggle, as more and more government agencies are requiring information to come through spokespeople, restricting access to expert staff members and taking steps to control messages.

UTC senior Matt Floyd heard the message loud and clear, and he's ready to get to work.

Floyd is seeking a communication degree and hopes to work in broadcast media, specifically radio.

"I thought it was very interesting about getting into the Obama administration, and how information is being restricted. It's an interesting perspective," Floyd said.

UTC Chancellor Steve Angle said the university will be bringing in more speakers to talk with students.

"This is the first of many guest lecturers over the next few years," Angle said. "This is a great opportunity for our students to see what you can do with a career in communication."

Contact staff writer Louie Brogdon at lbrogdon@timesfreepress.com, at @glbrogdoniv on Twitter or at 423-757-6481.

Upcoming Events