Is prepublication review considered a declassification action?

Prepublication review is not considered a declassification action because it involves the assessment of material before it can be published, ensuring that any classified information is appropriately handled and protected. The fundamental purpose of prepublication review is to validate that sensitive information does not get disclosed publicly without proper clearance. This process occurs before any classification is finalized or confirmed, thereby allowing for the safeguarding of classified material by examining content and context.

Prior classification must be established to determine if certain materials contain sensitive information, and thus, the review is about ensuring no unauthorized disclosure occurs, rather than directly classifying or declassifying information. The focus on ensuring that all classified material is correctly managed reinforces this distinction, highlighting the importance of juxtaposing the prepublication review process with the mechanisms of classification and declassification, making it clear that one does not automatically equate to the other.