Category: Public Engagement

We have already received many comments from our followers about what topics you would like to see declassified.  Today, we present you with anew  list of topics OLDER than 25 years. View the List Here:  Older Than 25 Years Like our first category of topics 25 years old and younger, this list of older topics … Continue reading NEW PRIORITIZATION CATEGORY: Topics Older Than 25 Years

Join the Declassification Prioritization Conversation.  The PIDB wants to know what topics you would like to see declassified.  Today, we present you with a list of topics 25 years old and YOUNGER. View the List Here:  Topics 25 Years Old and YOUNGER This list captures topics we heard from Agency declassifiers, experts from the Presidential … Continue reading Prioritization: Topics 25 Years Old and YOUNGER

The Public Interest Declassification Board continues to advocate for transforming the security classification system.  We now ask YOU to join the discussion about what the government should prioritize for declassification.  Make sure the PIDB hears your voice by commenting on our blog, Transforming Classification, today through mid-January 2014. Please check back-in early this afternoon to … Continue reading Declassify or not . . .that’s our question.

The members and staff of the Public Interest Declassification Board attended and participated in many events last week to commemorate Sunshine Week.  We would like to thank the representatives from agencies, civil society and open government advocacy groups, the Congress, the public and all the attendees who participated in these panels and events.  The Board … Continue reading What We Heard and Learned during Sunshine Week

Please join the chair of the PIDB, Ambassador Nancy Soderberg, for a discussion about Secrecy and Security: The Future of Classification Reform.  Ambassador Soderberg will discuss the PIDB report and the Board’s future work at a forum hosted by the Brennan Center for Justice on Thursday, March 14, 2013 from 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. … Continue reading PIDB Chair to Discuss Transforming the Security Classification System at Secrecy Event Hosted by the Brennan Center for Justice

Thank you for participating in the Transforming Classification Blog.  The Blog is now closed for comments.  The Board appreciates all of the comments and submissions that were received. We will continue to evaluate the comments and submissions you posted on the blog as we consider what changes to make on how best to transform the classification system in … Continue reading Thank You

I read the PIDB papers as well as the submissions from the seven commentators.  Rather than comment through a blog on each of the proposals, I decided to summarize my reactions and raise a few additional issues.  I am numbering the paragraphs to make it easier to see the separate topics. 1. In general, I … Continue reading Comments from Trudy Huskamp Peterson, Former Acting Archivist of the United States

On April 26th the Public Interest Declassification Board invited you to submit your ideas on transforming the national security classification system.  The Board received the following papers.  They appear in the order in which they were received: Steven Aftergood, Federation of American Scientists: "Set a Mandatory Performance Goal to Catalyze Transformation" Harry Cooper: "Transforming the … Continue reading The Public Weighs In

Now that you have had the opportunity to review and comment on the Board’s draft proposals for transforming the classification system, we would like to invite you to submit your own specific ideas.  Submissions should: Provide transformative but plausible ideas and actionable implementation strategies Promote innovation and especially address the challenges of classified digital data … Continue reading Submit Your Own Transformation White Paper

The PIDB would like to invite you to post your comments on two new proposals for transforming the classification system. The new topics concern: Paper 5: Stewardship of Our Classified History Paper 6: Information Security and Access in the Electronic Environment A forthcoming paper will address historical Formerly Restricted Data. Additionally, be sure to mark … Continue reading Two New Papers