A daily reading of responsible newspapers quickly discloses abundant examples of careful selectivity in the release of information by government officials, can scarcely be denied. Indeed scholars, journalists, and the American public are becoming increasingly dependent upon the release of information by the federal government for their interpretation of recent historical and current events.[433] Whatever the import of this development, however, it is not within the scope of this treatise. The present chapter is limited to a survey and classification of statutory provisions relating to the withholding and release of information by the government. It is accordingly appropriate merely to acknowledge the possibility that intensive research subsequently may disclose to what extent public opinion has been prejudiced, distorted, or confused by the federal government’s policies concerning the release of information. THE RELEASE OF INFORMATION BY THE GOVERNMENT Statutes concerning the release of information by government agencies appear to have been drafted with a view to accomplishing the following purposes: (a) the convenience of other federal agencies; (b) promotion of program administration or enforcement; (c) to enable public opinion to influence and restrict administrative action. Legislative provisions aimed at disseminating information for the convenience of the public are included with (b) and (c). _The Convenience of Federal Agencies_: The Tennessee Valley Authority Act of 1933 contains the only clearcut and noteworthy example of the convenience type of provision thus far ascertained. Section 19 of that Act affords the Tennessee Valley Corporation access to the Patent Office as an instrumentality and agency of the United States Government. The Corporation is authorized to study, ascertain, and copy all methods, formulate any scientific information necessary to enable it to employ the most efficient and economical process for the production of fixed nitrogen.[434]