On October 26, 2021, 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 Alissa Starzak, Paul-Noel Chretien, Ben Powell, and John Tierney. At the meeting, the PIDB members received an update on NARA’s reopening status, planned for … Continue reading PIDB Posts Agenda from Executive Session Teleconference Held on October 26, 2021
PIDB Posts Agenda from Executive Session Teleconference Held on September 23, 2021
The Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) met in executive session by video teleconference on Tuesday, September 23, 2021. PIDB Chair Ezra Cohen led the virtual meeting, which was attended by members Paul Noel Chretien, Trey Gowdy, Michael Lawrence, Ben Powell, Alissa Starzak, and John Tierney. At the meeting, the PIDB members received a briefing on … Continue reading PIDB Posts Agenda from Executive Session Teleconference Held on September 23, 2021
Press Coverage of PIDB Efforts to Reduce Over-Classification, Increase Government Transparency
Two news reports published last week highlighted last year’s recommendations as well as ongoing activities of the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) to promote the modernization of classification and declassification systems. Both reports cited the PIDB’s continuing advocacy for new policies and processes to reduce over-classification. (The PIDB’s 2020 Report to the President recommended policies … Continue reading Press Coverage of PIDB Efforts to Reduce Over-Classification, Increase Government Transparency
PIDB Submits Letter to President Biden Supporting Transparency in Public Release of JFK Assassination Records
On September 27, 2021, the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) submitted a letter to President Biden unanimously encouraging the maximum public release of records under the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act (JFK Act). Passed in 1992, the JFK Act required all federal agencies and offices to identify, organize, and transfer copies of all … Continue reading PIDB Submits Letter to President Biden Supporting Transparency in Public Release of JFK Assassination Records
FY 2022 National Defense Authorization Act Recognizes the Need for a New Classification Policy for Space Information to Reduce Over-Classification
The Armed Services Committee in the House of Representatives included a provision in the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that directs the Chief of Space Operations for the U.S. Space Force to oversee a classification review of space information with the intent of either declassifying or reducing the classification levels of space … Continue reading FY 2022 National Defense Authorization Act Recognizes the Need for a New Classification Policy for Space Information to Reduce Over-Classification
PIDB Posts Agenda from Executive Session Teleconference Held on August 25
The Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) met in executive session by video teleconference on Wednesday, August 25, 2021. PIDB Chair Ezra Cohen led the virtual meeting, which was attended by members Paul Noel Chretien, Trey Gowdy, Michael Lawrence, Ben Powell, Alissa Starzak, and John Tierney. The PIDB members discussed the status and procedures for handling … Continue reading PIDB Posts Agenda from Executive Session Teleconference Held on August 25
PIDB Comments on the National Archives Draft Strategic Plan
The Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) was established to promote “the fullest possible access to a thorough, accurate, and reliable documentary record of significant ... national security decisions and … activities.” This mandate reflects an underlying premise of representative democracy: citizens’ access to information about Government is essential to their informed decisions and their ability … Continue reading PIDB Comments on the National Archives Draft Strategic Plan
PIDB Recommends the Prioritized Declassification of 9/11 Records
The Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) promotes the fullest possible public access to a thorough, accurate, and reliable documentary record of significant U.S. national security decisions and activities. The PIDB reviews and makes recommendations to the President for the identification, collection, and review for declassification of information of extraordinary public interest. In anticipation of the … Continue reading PIDB Recommends the Prioritized Declassification of 9/11 Records
PIDB Posts Agenda from Executive Session Teleconference Held on July 28
The Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) met in executive session by video teleconference on Thursday, June 24, 2021. PIDB Chair Ezra Cohen led the virtual meeting, which was attended by members Paul Noel Chretien, Trey Gowdy, Michael Lawrence, Ben Powell, Alissa Starzak, and John Tierney. The PIDB members drafted procedures for handling requests submitted by … Continue reading PIDB Posts Agenda from Executive Session Teleconference Held on July 28
PIDB Posts Agenda from Executive Session Teleconference Held on June 24, 2021
The Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) met in executive session by video teleconference on Thursday, June 24, 2021. PIDB Chair Ezra Cohen led the virtual meeting, which was attended by members Paul Noel Chretien, Trey Gowdy, Michael Lawrence, Ben Powell, Alissa Starzak, and John Tierney. Topics discussed by the PIDB members in session included recommendations … Continue reading PIDB Posts Agenda from Executive Session Teleconference Held on June 24, 2021