WASHINGTON (EILEEN SULLIVAN, Associated Press) — The Obama administration is tightening its control over intelligence and limiting officials' interactions with reporters.

The new directive is intended to prevent unauthorized disclosures. It limits contact with the media for officials with the 17 intelligence agencies to authorized personnel only, such as designated press officers and the top two officials of intelligence divisions.

The directive was issued in March and applies to unclassified intelligence information. If an unauthorized intelligence official speaks to a member of the media, the official is to report that interaction.

The new rules come nearly a year after a former National Security Agency employee disclosed classified surveillance programs to reporters.

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