The American Society of Newspaper Editors has asked the CIA to reaffirm its policy of not using news organisations as covers for its agents.
"We would urge that the CIA make it official policy that journalist covers will not be used under any circumstances," ASNE President Mr Tim McGuire and Mr Tony Pederson, chairman of the society's international committee, said a letter to CIA Director George Tenet.
"A change of this policy and an announcement of such is appropriate to assure the standing of newspaper journalists and, it seems to us, the integrity of the CIA," the journalists pointed out.
The appeal follows the kidnapping and execution in Pakistan of Wall Street Journal correspondent Mr Daniel Pearl, who was abducted in Karachi on January 23 as he attempted to arrange an interview with an Islamic militant.
Pakistani authorities received a grisly video showing Mr Pearl's execution on February 21.
Mr Pearl's abductors have accused him of being associated with the CIA and Israeli intelligence, a charge vehemently denied by his employer. The CIA, meanwhile, said it already has a policy of not using journalists for collecting intelligence.
AFP