OpenTheGovernment.org - Let's Reverse the Pattern of Secrecy

Home :

Let's Reverse the Pattern of Secrecy

Concerned that our government keeps from the American public information that we need to make our families safe, secure our country and strengthen democracy, a broad-based set of organizations formed OpenTheGovernment.org. We hope you'll help.

Read our Strategic Operational Plan.

Read OpenTheGovernment.org's 2007 year-end report

Policy Updates for May 6, 2008

19 Groups Join OpenTheGovernment.org in Urging Continuation of Snapshots of Federal Web Sites
The Pentagon's Hidden Hand Behind TV Analysts
Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution Holds Hearing on Secret Law
News from Coalition Partners and Others

19 Groups Join OpenTheGovernment.org in Urging Continuation of Snapshots of Federal Web Sites
OpenTheGovernment.org and 19 organizations wrote to the Archivist of the United States to protest the National Archives' decision to not capture and preserve a "snapshot" of government web pages at the end of the current Administration. The groups asked the Archivist to rescind the decision.

OpenTheGovernment.org and 28 Groups Express Support for National Security Letters Reform Act
OpenTheGovernment.org joined 28 other organizations in a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee expressing support for the National Security Letters Reform Act (S. 2088) and asking that the Judiciary Committee consider this legislation and report it favorably as soon as is practical. The bill includes a provision requiring the Attorney General to issue minimization procedures for information obtained through NSLs, and to create a system to track their use. The proposed legislation takes significant steps toward achieving a balance between privacy and national security concerns.

View the letter here.

OpenTheGovernment.org and 33 Groups Call for Public Comment on SBU Guidance

OpenTheGovernment.org and thirty-three groups urged the White House to allow public review and comment on new rules governing the designation of Sensitive But Unclassified (or Controlled Unclassified Information -- CUI) that are expected to be released soon. Opportunities for public comment were promised almost 6 years ago and many of the groups have sent previous letters (in 2007and 2003) requesting an opportunity to comment.

Read Coalition Director's Remarks to the Public Interest Declassification Board

For more about the Public Interest Declassification Board, visit the PIDB web site.

OpenTheGovernment.org 2008 Sunshine Week Event
Webcast Now Available for Viewing

The webcast of our March 19 event, "Government Secrecy: Censoring Your Right to Know," is now available for viewing here at OpenTheGovernment.org; click on the graphic above or here, for our webcast page. A DVD of the event will also be available for purchase.

For more information about our event, see our 2008 event information page.

OpenTheGovernment.org Joins Effort to Craft Whistleblower Protections for Scientists

Over fifty signatories, including OpenTheGovernment.org, wrote to Congress in support of whistleblower protections for scientists when the Senate takes up H.R. 985. The letter urges Senators to preserve language defending federal scientists against retaliation for exposing suppression and distortion of their work.

OpenTheGovernment.org and OMB Watch Report on 21st Century Right to Know Initiative
This election year, one of the most important issues we face is ensuring an open and transparent government, one that enables an informed citizenry. It is up to us to make sure that the right questions are asked. OpenTheGovernment.org and OMB Watch are collaborating on the 21st Century Right-to-Know Initiative to develop recommendations for the next President and Congress. See this summary for a description of the four phases of the initiative. Contact Clay Northouse at OMB Watch for more information, or with questions.

New Report Finds Expanded Federal Government Secrecy in 2006

Read the Secrecy Report Card 2007. Read the press release.

New Book Updates 1987 Report on Government Secrecy

OpenTheGovernment.org and People For the American Way Foundation document executive branch changes -- expanding power, diminishing accountability -- in Government Secrecy: Decisions Without Democracy 2007 (PDF; see also: press release).