The Bush Administration has backed away from a crackdown on government leaks of classified information in part due to occasional behind-the-scenes meetings attended by government officials and press representatives.

In a white paper describing a nearly successful attempt in 2000 to criminalize unauthorized leaks, former Los Angeles Times Washington Bureau Chief Jack Nelson credits these recent meetings, dubbed simply the "dialogue," as easing tensions between an administration seemingly obsessed with controlling leaks of classified information and reporters who feel leaks are crucial to giving the public an understanding of government actions. Nelson concludes that, "the need for vigilance by the press is even greater today because of the Bush Administration's excessive reliance on secrecy."