In our 2014 supplemental report, Setting Priorities: An Essential Step in Transforming Declassification, the PIDB advocated for a coordinated, government-wide approach to declassifying information based on those records most sought after and of most historical significance to the public. To this end, we believe topic-based prioritization is a viable alternative to prioritizing records simply by … Continue reading Prioritization and the National Declassification Center
Author: Nancy Soderberg
Sunshine Week and Open Government Progress
We are pleased to announce the Presidential appointments of Ms. Laura A. DeBonis and Mr. Solomon B. Watson, IV as members to the PIDB on March 12, 2015. It is fitting that the newest members of the PIDB are able to participate in our executive session meeting being held today. As we reflect on the … Continue reading Sunshine Week and Open Government Progress
The Public Interest Declassification Board commemorates James Madison’s birthday and Sunshine Week
Sunshine Week is an annual initiative designed to raise awareness of the importance of citizen access to Government information. This commemoration coincides with National Freedom of Information Day and James Madison’s birthday (March 16). We reaffirm the principle that an Open Government is essential in our democracy. An informed citizenry, actively participating in debating and … Continue reading The Public Interest Declassification Board commemorates James Madison’s birthday and Sunshine Week
Retirement of Miriam Nisbet, Director of OGIS
On behalf of the members of the Public Interest Declassification Board, I would like to congratulate Miriam Nisbet on the eve of her retirement from Federal service. Throughout her Federal career, she served with distinction as a tireless advocate for transparency and access to government records. We first met Ms. Nisbet in her role as … Continue reading Retirement of Miriam Nisbet, Director of OGIS
Farewell to PIDB Member Martin Faga
On behalf of the members of the Public Interest Declassification Board, I would like to thank our colleague, Martin Faga, for his dedicated service as he concludes his third term as a member on the PIDB. Marty has made substantial contributions while on the PIDB, including service as the Acting Chair. He was appointed by … Continue reading Farewell to PIDB Member Martin Faga
PIDB Visits Presidential Libraries and the Center for Content Understanding
On September 11-12, 2014, the PIDB traveled to College Station and Austin, Texas to see first-hand how the Presidential Libraries are providing access to their important holdings. The PIDB would like to thank the Directors and staff at the George. H. W. Bush and the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Libraries for hosting us. We appreciated … Continue reading PIDB Visits Presidential Libraries and the Center for Content Understanding
Declassification of the Manhattan District History at the Department of Energy
On August 21, 2014, the Department of Energy (DOE) posted to its OpenNet system the multi-volume history of the Manhattan Project, titled The Manhattan District History. Commissioned in 1944 by General Leslie Groves, head of the Manhattan Engineer District, the thirty-six volume history was "intended to describe, in simple terms, easily understood by the average … Continue reading Declassification of the Manhattan District History at the Department of Energy
PIDB Holds Congressional Briefing on Transforming the Security Classification System
On Friday, June 20, the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) held a congressional briefing on the Report to the President on Transforming the Security Classification System, which offered fourteen key recommendations on how to reform the security classification system to better reflect the digital age. The need for increased transparency and improved public access to … Continue reading PIDB Holds Congressional Briefing on Transforming the Security Classification System
What We Heard and Learned at our June 19th Public Meeting
On behalf of the members of the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB), I want to thank all those who attended and participated in our public meeting on June 19, 2014. We wish to thank the Archivist of the United States, David S. Ferriero, and his staff for hosting the meeting at the National Archives and … Continue reading What We Heard and Learned at our June 19th Public Meeting
Farewell to PIDB Member Elizabeth Rindskopf Parker
On behalf of the members of the Public Interest Declassification Board, I would like to thank Elizabeth Rindskopf Parker for her dedicated service to the PIDB and acknowledge her extensive contributions. Elizabeth concluded her third term as a member of the PIDB and we are lucky to have had her knowledge and expertise during her … Continue reading Farewell to PIDB Member Elizabeth Rindskopf Parker