RALEIGH (AP) -- Gov. Mike Easley wants a panel led by one of his chief advisers to examine whether e-mail retention policies need to be changed within his administration. Easley announced Tuesday the formation of the committee that will review the policies in light of the state's public records law. The governor has been defending his administration after disclosure of a 2001 policy that tells state employees they can delete e-mails in certain situations. The North Carolina Press Association said the policy means public records can be destroyed. Easley says electronic forms of communication have expanded greatly since the public records law was last overhauled in 1993. Franklin Freeman, a senior adviser to Easley, will lead the panel and report back with recommendations by May 20. (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)