COEUR d'ALENE — Thomas Jefferson wrote that if he were given the choice between a government without newspapers or newspapers without government, he would choose the latter.

Moves this week by President Donald Trump’s administration have been interpreted as favoring the former.

When it comes to informing the public of governmental action, here’s how things stand at the moment.

FEDERAL:

Temporary blackout

Emails sent to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency staff detailed specific prohibitions banning press releases, blog updates or posts to the agency's social media accounts. Similar orders barring external communications have been issued in recent days by the Trump administration at other federal agencies, including the departments of Transportation, Agriculture and Interior.

In a joint statement to The Coeur d’Alene Press Thursday, U.S. Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch of Idaho wrote they “do not take issue with the temporary and transitional actions allowed to most presidential teams assuming new control over federal agencies.”

The statement also noted both President Barack Obama and President George W. Bush issued similar orders to federal agencies during the transitional periods of their administrations.

U.S. Rep. Raul Labrador declined to comment.

White House spokesman Sean Spicer said Tuesday he had no specific information on the blackout.

"I don't think it's any surprise that when there's an administration turnover, that we're going to review the policies," Spicer said.

Doug Ericksen, communications director for Trump's transition team at EPA, said he expects the communications ban to be lifted by the end of this week.

"We're just trying to get a handle on everything and make sure what goes out reflects the priorities of the new administration," Ericksen said.

Staff at the Agriculture Department's Agricultural Research Service also received orders not to issue any news releases, photos, fact sheets and social media posts. After an email of the order was leaked to the media, USDA's acting deputy secretary said he would ask agency officials to rescind the memo.

Spokespersons at agencies within the Transportation Department who are career employees received an email Monday morning telling them: "There will be no releases or social media until we hear from new leadership." The one-sentence email, obtained by The Associated Press, came from the department's top career spokeswoman, rather than a political appointee.

In an email from the White House Press Office, it was clarified the White House has not directed a halt to any employee communications and any direction on the matter has come from the agencies themselves.

“It is within the administration’s right to request agencies temporarily cease certain communications until new teams are in place,” the email states. “This is to prevent certain executive agencies from putting out messaging content that would conflict with the agenda the American people just voted into office.”

KOOTENAI COUNTY:

Two approaches

Kootenai County has spelled out clear rules for employees interacting with media members.

“Any and all contacts with the news media are to be reported to the Board of County Commissioners or the appropriate Elected Official,” the personnel policy states. “They may authorize other staff to speak/release information to the media as appropriate.”

The Press attempted to contact Kootenai County Human Resources Director Skye Reynolds to discuss particulars of the policy — what is defined as contact, whether the contact needs to be reported before or after responding to the member of the media, and whether there is a timeline for responding to the member of the media. However, Reynolds did not return calls made to her office late Thursday morning and again mid-afternoon.

Kootenai County Sheriff Ben Wolfinger told The Press Thursday that the sheriff’s office created its own policy and procedure for media relations.

The policy, provided to The Press by Wolfinger — a former department spokesman himself — begins by explaining the sheriff’s office recognizes the importance of communicating “accurate and factual accounts of public interest.”

“Each newsworthy incident must be examined in the light of its circumstances,” the policy states. “Generally, we are concerned about whether the release of information will hamper an investigation, jeopardize an innocent person, or promote pretrial prejudice to the extent that a fair trial becomes difficult or impossible. These concerns are weighed against the public's need and right to be informed.”

COEUR d’ALENE:

Respond and report

Although it doesn’t have a formal policy, Coeur d'Alene City Administrator Jim Hammond said the city encourages employees to be responsive to the media. Hammond added employees are also encouraged to provide notice to the mayor and city council regarding an interaction with media before a story is published.

"We don't want the council or mayor to be caught unaware by an issue that comes forth," Hammond said. "If we alert them ahead of time, they're able to respond better to citizens who may contact them with questions about what appeared in the media."

Deputy City Administrator Sam Taylor, whose duties include serving as public information officer and spokesperson for the city, told The Press Thursday the goal is to always get members of the media talking with the employee who serves as an expert on the issue being discussed. If employees are nervous or unsure how to interact with media, Taylor said he has made himself available to guide them through the interview process.

"We want to be accurate and we should never be afraid to tell the truth or provide information," Taylor added. "The media is just trying to share information with the community. The more individual residents know, the more informed their thoughts and opinions on issues will be when they present them to the mayor and council."

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.