Author: Ellen Knight

A White Paper Submission to the PIDB: In a political climate where consensus is rare, there is remarkably little dispute about the need for classification reform. Officials from Democratic and Republican administrations agree that far too much information is unnecessarily classified and that the current declassification process is wholly inadequate to handle the oncoming wave … Continue reading Eight Steps to Reduce Overclassification and Rescue Declassification by Elizabeth Goitein, The Brennan Center for Justice

A White Paper Submission to the PIDB: Thank you to Chairman Morrison and to the Board for getting this conversation started. Assuming that the next Administration will in fact prepare a new executive order on classification policy, I would like to propose two specific steps for consideration: (1) a new procedure for considering declassification of … Continue reading Modernizing the National Security Classification and Declassification Systems Through the Next Administration’s Executive Order, by Steven Aftergood, Federation of American Scientists

We are pleased to forward the news that Mark A. Bradley was named as the new Director of ISOO, and therefore is the new Executive Secretary of the PIDB.  His new role will become effective December 25, 2016. Mr. Bradley is currently the Director of FOIA (Freedom of Information Act), Declassification, and Pre-publication Review, National … Continue reading Mark A. Bradley Appointed Director of the Information Security Oversight Office

The PIDB hosted a public meeting on Thursday, June 23, 2016 at the National Archives.  The meeting was an opportunity to engage publicly with White House leadership on progress in developing a technology investment strategy for the management of classified information.  The meeting was also a chance to hear comments from current and former members … Continue reading PIDB Public Meeting Recording Now Available

A public meeting of the PIDB will be held today, June 23, 2016 from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. at the National Archives Building.  The members will discuss the white paper below: "The Importance of Technology in Classification and Declassification" A White Paper of the Public Interest Declassification Board June 2016 Introduction to the PIDB Declassification … Continue reading PUBLIC MEETING TODAY: New PIDB White Paper, “The Importance of Technology in Classification and Declassification”

Yesterday evening, the President announced his intention to appoint Trevor W. Morrison and James E. Baker to each serve three-year terms as members of the PIDB.  The President also named Mr. Morrison as the new Chairperson.  You can find a link to the White House press release announcing the appointments here.  The members of the … Continue reading ANNOUNCEMENT: New Presidential Appointees

The PIDB will hold a public meeting tomorrow, Thursday, June 23, 2016 at the National Archives Building from 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. There are still spaces available.  You may register through Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/public-interest-declassification-board-meeting-tickets-25546280613 More information about the meeting can be found here.

Join us and REGISTER for the next public meeting of the PIDB! When: Thursday, June 23, 2016 from 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Doors Open: 9:15 a.m. Where: The Archivist's Reception Room, Room 105, National Archives and Records Administration Address: 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC (Enter through the Pennsylvania Ave. Lobby) The Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) will hold … Continue reading SAVE THE DATE: PIDB Public Meeting on June 23, 2016

Yesterday, PIDB member Sanford Ungar attended a briefing by Dr. Cheryl Martin entitled, Decision Support Technology for Records Declassification Review and Release. Dr. Martin’s briefing was jointly sponsored by the ODNI and CIA as part of the research supporting the Congressionally-Directed Action tasked by House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence to the Director of National Intelligence … Continue reading Declassification Technology Update from the Center for Content Understanding (CCU)

The Members of the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) congratulate Mr. John W. Ficklin on his January 2016 retirement from government service, completing his forty-three year tenure at the White House as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Records and Access Management at the National Security Council. In his capacity as Senior … Continue reading PIDB Congratulates John W. Ficklin for his Years of Public Service