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 Virtual Public Meeting Held on August 19, 2022

On August 19, 2022, the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) held a virtual public meeting to mark the completion of their feasibility study on the Declassification of Records Relating to Nuclear Weapons Testing and Cleanup Activities in the Marshall Islands. PIDB Chair Ezra Cohen led the virtual public meeting, which was attended by the PIDB … Continue reading PIDB Posts Agenda for Virtual Public Meeting Held on August 19, 2022

PIDB Posts Marshall Islands Declassification Feasibility Study; Register Before Midnight for Virtual Public Meeting Set for tomorrow, August 19, 2022, from 10:00 to 11:15 a.m.

The Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) has posted its Marshall Islands declassification feasibility study on the PIDB Recommendations and Reports webpage, here: https://www.archives.gov/files/pidb/recommendations/marshall-islands-feasibility-study-2022-.pdf. The completed study has also been presented to Congress, and the Secretaries of the Departments of Defense and Energy, as required under the FY 2022 National Defense Authorization Act. Registration remains open … Continue reading PIDB Posts Marshall Islands Declassification Feasibility Study; Register Before Midnight for Virtual Public Meeting Set for tomorrow, August 19, 2022, from 10:00 to 11:15 a.m.

PIDB Posts Agenda for Executive Session Teleconference Held on July 16, 2022

On July 26, 2022, the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) met in executive session by video teleconference. PIDB Chair Ezra Cohen led the virtual meeting, which was attended by Alissa Starzak, Carter Burwell, Paul-Noel Chretien, Laura DeBonis, Trey Gowdy, Michael Lawrence, Ben Powell, and John Tierney. The members discussed finalizing the Marshall Islands Declassification Feasibility … Continue reading PIDB Posts Agenda for Executive Session Teleconference Held on July 16, 2022

PIDB Delays Virtual Public Meeting Previously Set for Next Tuesday, July 26, 2022

The Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) will not host a virtual public meeting next Tuesday, July 26, as previously scheduled. That meeting is delayed—the new date and information to register to attend the next PIDB Virtual Public Meeting will be posted here on the blog Transforming Classification, as soon as the event is rescheduled.

PIDB Virtual Public Meeting Set for Next Tuesday, July 26, 2022

The Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) will host a virtual public meeting from 2:30 to 3:45 p.m. next Tuesday, July 26, 2022. PIDB members and staff will discuss the pre-publication results of their Marshall Islands Declassification Feasibility Study, which the PIDB is required to provide Congress under the FY 2022 National Defense Authorization Act. The … Continue reading PIDB Virtual Public Meeting Set for Next Tuesday, July 26, 2022

PIDB Posts Agenda for Executive Session Teleconference Held on June 23, 2022

On June 23, 2022, the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) met in executive session by video teleconference. PIDB Chair Ezra Cohen led the virtual meeting, which was attended by PIDB Members Carter Burwell, Paul-Noel Chretien, Michael Lawrence, Alissa Starzak, and John Tierney. The members discussed their progress toward completing the Marshall Islands Declassification Feasibility Study, … Continue reading PIDB Posts Agenda for Executive Session Teleconference Held on June 23, 2022

PIDB Posts Agenda for Executive Session Teleconference Held on June 15, 2022

On June 15, 2022, the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) met in executive session by video teleconference. PIDB Chair Ezra Cohen led the virtual meeting, which was attended by PIDB Members Carter Burwell, Paul-Noel Chretien, Laura DeBonis, Trey Gowdy, Michael Lawrence, Benjamin Powell, Alissa Starzak, and John Tierney. The members discussed their work and progress … Continue reading PIDB Posts Agenda for Executive Session Teleconference Held on June 15, 2022

Senators Moran and Wyden Urge the President to Change Executive Order on Classification and Declassification

A letter sent to President Biden in May 2022 by Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) and Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) urged the President and the National Security Council to address “long-overdue reform demands” by revising Executive Order (E.O) 13526, Classified National Security Information. In addition to calling for modernization, the letter emphasizes the need for “meaningful investments” in … Continue reading Senators Moran and Wyden Urge the President to Change Executive Order on Classification and Declassification

PIDB Posts Agenda for Executive Session Teleconference Held on June 7, 2022

On June 7, 2022, the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) met in executive session by video teleconference. PIDB Chair Ezra Cohen led the virtual meeting, which was attended by PIDB Members Carter Burwell, Paul-Noel Chretien, Trey Gowdy, Michael Lawrence, Ben Powell, and John Tierney. PIDB staffers John Powers and Sharmila Bhatia updated the PIDB members … Continue reading PIDB Posts Agenda for Executive Session Teleconference Held on June 7, 2022