The Trump secrecy assessment
The U.S. classifies far too many secrets, obstructing democracy.
Excessive government secrecy takes many forms, from agencies needlessly claiming documents are classified to ignoring information requests and destroying records — even when the documents show government fraud or illegal conduct. This hinders a free press, effective oversight, and the public’s ability to self govern.
We need to fight for systemic improvements, and we need the press to vigorously question the government every time it says something is classified.
Featured Items
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Declassify RT records so the public can vet administration's claims
Letting the public see the actual documents would strengthen Biden administration's declassification efforts
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FPF talks government secrecy and national security reporting
Interview with first Ellsberg Chair Lauren Harper highlights overclassification, whistleblowers, and national security reporting
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Biden should declassify Senate report on CIA torture program
Release would help counter growing evidence that the agency has become too powerful for oversight
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NY law will needlessly delay release of public records
Requirement to notify government employees when their disciplinary records are requested is about secrecy, not privacy
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New bipartisan Senate bill seeks to reduce overclassification
A World War I-era document containing a secret ink recipe that the CIA deemed worthy of classification for nearly 100 years
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Gag rules stifle financial journalism
The government cannot silence its critics to save itself from embarrassment
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Copyright and public records don’t mix
A new court decision using copyright law to deny release of public records from the Covenant School shooting investigation harms the public’s right to know
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Revisiting the undercover Alito recording, post-Trump v. United States
The secret taping, condemned by journalistic ethicists, is actually a prime example of when surreptitious reporting is justified
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States keep public in dark with anti-transparency reforms
Laws limiting public records access make it harder for journalists to hold executive branch officials accountable
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Public must have access to U.S. report on military aid
Biden administration has no reason to withhold Congressional report on how foreign recipients of U.S. military assistance comply with human rights law
