The Information Security Oversight Office found that for 2011 the number of government records declassified had declined from the previous year. The review process is under study and holds promise for improving declassification. -db From Secrecy News, May 29, 2012 by Steven Aftergood. Full story
The Obama administration’s report on progress on transparency in the federal government contains some false information, misrepresentations, and omits some successes notably in limiting national security secrecy, writes Steven Aftergood in Secrecy News. Aftergood thinks that although some strides have been made in releasing data on government agencies through Data.gov, overall the report is not accurate or comprehensive enough, making it difficult to use it as a guide for future progress. -db From a commentary
The Obama administration released a report about their progress in increasing transparency. They cited increased grants of Freedom of Information Act requests; the declassification of sensitive data; and the use of technology to improve access to government spending and information on government agencies. The report was well-received by open government advocates, but they noted that much more needs to be done. -db From The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, September 16, 2011, by
In a move that signals a change in practice from a year ago, the Obama administration released its log of White House visitors for September 16-30 along with 2,000 records from before September 16. -DB Sunlight Foundation Commentary December 30, 2009 By Daniel Schuman Today the White House released its log of White House visitors for the period of September 16-30, 2009. (Here’s today’s announcement and the data.) More than 2,000 records specifically requested from
President Barack Obama issued a long anticipated order on declassification with the statement that no information should remain classified indefinitely. He eliminated a Bush order that allowed the intelligence community a veto over declassification decisions. -DB Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press December 30, 2009 By Amanda Becker President Obama on Monday issued an anticipated declassification order and memorandum to agency heads that dictates no records can be kept classified indefinitely during his administration.