Do companies have to obey any rules, laws

The SEC filings, are rules, which allow people to see how companies actually operate. These are generally long and boring and would put most people to sleep, but they are very important. Now this administration says that companies are not required to follow the rules, by just claiming national security. This comes at the same time that millions of Americans are being spied on.
http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/may2006/nf20060523_2210.htm?campaign_id=rss_daily