Author: Robert Fahs

Recommendations on Federal Archives and Records Management Issues, a report submitted last Tuesday (December 1, 2020) to President-Elect Joe Biden by four leading professional organizations of archivists and records managers records managers, cite the call for Government-wide declassification reform presented in the 2020 report to the President of the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB). The … Continue reading Four Archivist and Records Management Organizations Embrace Calls for Improving Declassification by PIDB

Speaking at the Schriever Space Futures Forum on November 20, 2020, Gen. John Hyten, Vice Chairman of the Joint Staff, argued that the over-classification of space information by the Department of Defense (DOD) delays the appropriate information sharing required to partner with U.S. allies and industry, and to deter adversaries in space. At the recent … Continue reading Gen. Hyten Finds Over-classification of Space Information Undermines National Security, Promises Reform

On October 9, 2020, President Donald Trump appointed Michael G. Lawrence and Benjamin A. Powell to three-year terms as members of the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB). The PIDB members and staff welcome Mr. Lawrence and Mr. Powell, and look forward to working with them in continuing efforts to modernize the classification and declassification system … Continue reading President Donald Trump Appoints Michael G. Lawrence and Benjamin A. Powell to the PIDB

A video of the Virtual Public Meeting held on October 7, 2020, by the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB), is now available on the National Archives and Records Administration’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeeuyLn4kXA&feature=youtu.be. The video features participation by the Archivist of the United States David S. Ferriero, and a discussion between Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and … Continue reading PIDB Virtual Public Meeting Video Now on NARA’s YouTube Channel

The Public Interest Declassification Board (the Board) thanks you, the public, for joining our virtual meeting yesterday, Wednesday, October 7, 2020. This was the second virtual public meeting of the Board, and the first meeting held by WebEx video conference. Over 130 people registered to see and listen to remarks by the Archivist of the … Continue reading Thank You for Participating!

Senator Ron Wyden and the Archivist of the United States to Speak at Online Public Meeting on Declassification Reform Register now to attend the Public Interest Declassification Board’s Virtual Public Meeting this Wednesday, October 7, 2020, from 12:00-1:30 p.m. To participate in this WebEx event, please register by 11:59 p.m., October 6, by completing the form at this link: https://ems8.intellor.com?do=register&t=1&p=833206. After registering, you … Continue reading REMINDER: PIDB Public Meeting TOMORROW, Wednesday, October 7, 12:00-1:30 p.m.

Registration is now open for the Public Interest Declassification Board’s Virtual Public Meeting set for October 7, 2020, from 12:00-1:30 p.m. To participate in this WebEx event, please register before Midnight, October 6, by completing the form at this link: https://ems8.intellor.com?do=register&t=1&p=833206. After registering, you will receive an email containing a personalized link that will provide … Continue reading Registration Now Open for PIDB Virtual Public Meeting Featuring Senator Ron Wyden and Senator Jerry Moran (invited) on October 7, from 12:00-1:30 p.m.

On Thursday, September 24, 2020, the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) met in executive session. The agenda for that session is available on the PIDB website. The meeting began with PIDB Executive Secretary Mark Bradley administering the oath of office to Harold (“Trey”) Gowdy III, who was appointed to the PIDB by House Minority Leader … Continue reading PIDB Posts Agenda from Executive Session Teleconference

The Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) has scheduled its next virtual public meeting for Wednesday, October 7, 2020, from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.  At the meeting, PIDB members will discuss their priorities for improving classification and declassification in the next 18 months. They will also introduce former Congressman Trey Gowdy, who was appointed on August … Continue reading PIDB Sets Next Virtual Public Meeting for October 7, 2020

At an industry-sponsored webinar on Wednesday, August 12, officials from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) and the National Geospatial Agency (NGA) discussed how during the current COVID-19 pandemic their agencies: “innovate and deploy new technologies and methodologies to drive digital transformation for efficiency and cost savings.” La’Naia Jones, acting Chief Information … Continue reading ODNI, NGA Officials Tout Modernization During the Current Pandemic