Facebook Asks Reporters to Sign Non-Disclosure Agreement

Reporters going into a news conference at Facebook’s offices in Seattle were asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement, according to reports coming from news outlets in Seattle.

The Seattle Times blogged earlier today that reporters going to the news conference received an email from Dan Sytman, a spokesman for the Washington Attorney General’s office. Attached was the non-disclosure agreement from Facebook.

In a story on the issue, Seattle’s NPR affiliate, KPLU, posted part of Sytman’s email:

Dan Sytman, the AG’s Deputy Communications Director, wrote in an email sent out to news agencies at 8:10 a.m.:

“Facebook asked me to pass this on to you. They require it of all visitors to their facilities. It only applies to things that you might accidentally stumble upon while you are there and covers nothing discussed during our news conference. Please either bring a signed copy or be ready to sign upon arrival.”

The AP and The Seattle Times both declined to sign it. Two hours after the original email was sent, the request was withdrawn by another member of the AG’s staff. Here’s the full text of Facebook’s non-disclosure agreement.

The press conference was about Facebook and the state AG joining forces to combat “clicking spam.” It was not news that was particularly momentous or revealing about the social network giant.

It seems a bit odd that Facebook would make this move, especially since it has been pretty friendly to the press. In addition to just hiring Dan Fletcher, a journalist, as its new managing editor, the site also has a whole page geared toward journalism and Facebook. Not to mention the fact that Facebook expects its users to share everything.

Of course, the company won’t want certain news made public before they’re ready but it just doesn’t sit well with me that Facebook asked journalists going to a press conference to sign a non-disclosure form. Why even have the press conference then?

What do you think? Did Facebook go too far? Would you have signed the non-disclosure form? Let us know in the comments section below.

 

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