JFK was actually talking about current events of the cold war and how nontraditional enemies were gaining information on how the US was battling this war. In this speech JFK actually points out "the need for far greater "official" secrecy"...as well as "the need for a far greater public information".

JFK admits "I have no easy answer to the dilemma that I have posed," but also states, "and would not seek to impose it if I had one." This a major difference from where todays elected officials stand.

Address, "The President and the Press," Before The American Newspaper Publishers Association, 27 April 1961

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdMbmdFOvTs
( JFK Secret Societies Speech (full version); 19:44)