Former PIDB Executive Secretary Calls for Legislation to Modernize Government Classification

In Congressional testimony on March 23, 2022, former executive secretary of the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) and director of the Information Security Oversight Office (ISOO) (2012-2016) John Fitzpatrick called for legislation that would mandate the designation of “a single, responsible official” by the president to lead reform of the classification system through the implementation … Continue reading Former PIDB Executive Secretary Calls for Legislation to Modernize Government Classification

PIDB Posts Agenda for Executive Session Teleconference Held on March 15, 2023

On March 15, 2023, the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) met in executive session by video teleconference. PIDB Executive Secretary Mark Bradley opened the virtual meeting, which was led by PIDB Acting Chair Alissa Starzak, and attended by PIDB members Ezra Cohen, Carter Burwell, Alissa Starzak, John Tierney, Paul Noel Chretien, Benjamin Powell, Michael Lawrence, … Continue reading PIDB Posts Agenda for Executive Session Teleconference Held on March 15, 2023

Panels Discussed Wide Range of Issues at “America’s Secrets” Conference Co-Sponsored by the PIDB at The LBJ Library, in Austin, Texas

On January 27, 2023, the PIDB held a conference on “America’s Secrets: Classified Information and Our Democracy” at the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library and Museum (The LBJ Library), in Austin, Texas. The conference was co-sponsored by the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB), along with The Clements Center for National Security, Strauss Center for International … Continue reading Panels Discussed Wide Range of Issues at “America’s Secrets” Conference Co-Sponsored by the PIDB at The LBJ Library, in Austin, Texas

Senator Cornyn Presented Keynote on Declassification and Transparency at Conference Co-Sponsored by PIDB at The LBJ Library in Austin, Texas

On January 27, 2023, Senator John Cornyn gave the keynote address on “Declassification, Transparency, and the Importance of Section 702” at the conference on “America’s Secrets: Classified Information and Our Democracy” at the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library and Museum (The LBJ Library), in Austin, Texas. The conference was co-sponsored by the Public Interest Declassification … Continue reading Senator Cornyn Presented Keynote on Declassification and Transparency at Conference Co-Sponsored by PIDB at The LBJ Library in Austin, Texas

PIDB Posts Agenda for Executive Session Teleconference Held on February 15, 2023

On February 15, 2023, the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) met in executive session by video teleconference. PIDB Acting Chair Alissa Starzak led the virtual meeting, which was attended by Carter Burwell, Paul-Noel Chretien, Ezra Cohen, Laura DeBonis, Trey Gowdy, Michael Lawrence, Ben Powell, and John Tierney. The members discussed next steps following the America’s … Continue reading PIDB Posts Agenda for Executive Session Teleconference Held on February 15, 2023

DNI Haines Promotes Transparency at Conference Co-Sponsored by the PIDB at the LBJ Library

On January 26, 2023, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines gave the keynote address launching the conference on “America’s Secrets: Classified Information and Our Democracy” at the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library and Museum (The LBJ Library), in Austin, Texas. The conference was co-sponsored by the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB), with The Clements Center … Continue reading DNI Haines Promotes Transparency at Conference Co-Sponsored by the PIDB at the LBJ Library

Video from the PIDB’s Public Meeting at the LBJ Library on January 26 Is Now on NARA’s YouTube Channel

Video of the public meeting of the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) held on January 26, at the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library and Museum (The LBJ Library) in Austin, Texas, is now available on the YouTube channel of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For the agenda of the public meeting, see the … Continue reading Video from the PIDB’s Public Meeting at the LBJ Library on January 26 Is Now on NARA’s YouTube Channel

PIDB Posts Agenda from Public Meeting Held on January 26, 2023, at the LBJ Library, Austin, Texas

On Thursday, January 26, 2023, from 4:00-5:30 p.m. (CST), at the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library and Museum (the LBJ Library) in Austin, Texas, the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) held its first public meeting of 2023. As a guest of the PIDB, Evan Gottesman, counsel to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI), discussed … Continue reading PIDB Posts Agenda from Public Meeting Held on January 26, 2023, at the LBJ Library, Austin, Texas

Editorial Board of The Washington Post Cites PIDB’s 2020 Report and PIDB Blogs in Support of Secrecy Reform to Reduce Over-classification

On January 15, 2023, an editorial by the Editorial Board of The Washington Post highlighted the urgent need for the federal government to reduce "over-classification," as the increasing “tsunami” of electronic information that stems from current government operations overwhelms the existing system of classification management and declassification. In the editorial, The Washington Post Editorial Board … Continue reading Editorial Board of The Washington Post Cites PIDB’s 2020 Report and PIDB Blogs in Support of Secrecy Reform to Reduce Over-classification

Registration Open for PIDB Public Meeting and Co-sponsored Conference on “America’s Secrets: Classified Information and Our Democracy,” January 26-27, in Austin, Texas—Get Your Tickets Now!

On Thursday, January 26th, the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) will host its first public meeting of 2023 in the 10th Floor Atrium of the LBJ Presidential Library. The PIDB will consider the critical need for modernization of the federal system for classification and declassification. PIDB members will discuss challenges that electronic government records pose for … Continue reading Registration Open for PIDB Public Meeting and Co-sponsored Conference on “America’s Secrets: Classified Information and Our Democracy,” January 26-27, in Austin, Texas—Get Your Tickets Now!