U.S. Delays Changes to Economic-Data Lockups by at Least a Week

The U.S. Labor Department postponed next week’s deadline for removing computers from the secure room where journalists get pre-release access to major economic reports.

The delay was in response to the concerns raised by a coalition of media organizations that the department’s proposal would limit the wide distribution of key economic data to the general public.

“To ensure readiness, we have decided that the department, the press and the public at large will be best served by delaying implementation of the lock-up change for a relatively short period,” Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner William Beach said in a letter to ...