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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Courtroom door cracks open in Google antitrust trial
Thanks to pressure from the press, public access to the proceedings is finally improving
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Secrecy undermines trust in Google antitrust trial
The press and public shouldn’t be shut out from the Google antitrust case
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Judge gets it wrong in censoring the Post-Dispatch
An unconstitutional order once again extends a prior restraint on newspaper
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Freeze out: Politicians retaliate against the press using public notices
Anti-press lawmakers are attacking the press by yanking contracts to publish public notices or ending requirements to publish notices in newspapers entirely
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Financial censorship harms press freedom
GoFundMe blocked a publisher and won’t say why. Payment processors should be transparent about decisions to freeze or ban accounts
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Police use victims’ rights law to hide from scrutiny
Journalists and the public need to know officers’ identities to hold them accountable for their official actions
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Police dodge journalists by encrypting radio
The NYPD is the latest force to join this anti-transparency trend
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Honoring Daniel Ellsberg’s legacy: A $1 million donation to tackle government secrecy
Jack Dorsey’s #startsmall backs efforts to reform the government secrecy system, while honoring the late Daniel Ellsberg
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Dozens of civil society groups oppose congressional censorship law
Dozens of civil society and press freedom organizations have opposed a new proposal that would allow members of Congress to compel online censorship of certain information
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Secret science laws limit access to research records
Denying the press and public access to records isn’t the right way to protect academic freedom
