Declassification

“Myths About Intelligence and the CIA” trained Agency employees how to dismiss criticism

Included in the CIA’s declassified database is an0 October 1968 list of recommended responses to questions and “myths” regarding the Agency, which had all “been used successfully.” Many of the answers were dismissive, with recommended responses including changing the subject, questioning if an Agency failure was really a failure at all, and attempting to debunk accusations by calling them hearsay.

When asked about espionage is potentially “odious or even immoral,” the Agency recommended a response that included telling people not to worry about it and that intelligence work included 90% open sources, with relatively little coming from espionage. Aside from telling people who felt this way that “they need never be concerned with espionage,” the Agency did nothing to respond to the actual question of morality.