Project Makes Transparency Recommendations for Next President

More than 100 groups and individuals from across the country have been working collaboratively to develop recommendations for the next president on how best to improve federal government transparency. The effort, the 21st Century Right to Know project, was organized by OMB Watch, and it involves organizations and individuals from across the political spectrum. A draft set of recommendations is now available for review and endorsement. Acknowledging the growing secrecy in government and anticipating opportunities a new president and Congress could bring to reversing the secrecy trend, OMB Watch launched the 21st Century Right to Know Project over a year ago to develop recommendations on how to improve government openness. Working hand-in-hand with the steering committee of the OpenTheGovernment.org coalition and with other right-to-know leaders, the project set an ambitious agenda to change the underlying policies, priorities, and practices regarding public access for the executive branch of government.

The project began in July 2007 with a two-day event involving conservatives, libertarians, and progressives representing journalism, good government groups, professional associations, academia, and others. From its beginning, the project proceeded on a "transpartisan" basis. OMB Watch interviewed more than 100 people to identify past and new ideas for reform. There was also a string of listening sessions around the country, including meetings in Jacksonville, FL; Phoenix, AZ; Seattle, WA; and Minneapolis, MN. Data from these efforts were provided to three panels of experts, which were tasked with drafting initial recommendations in three main areas: security and secrecy, usability of information, and policies and mechanisms to support government transparency. In addition to the three expert panels, recommendations were developed for the first 100 days of the new president and for a long-term vision to strengthen government openness. The draft recommendations were the basis for a weekend retreat in September, involving nearly 70 people from across the country. During the retreat, each of the more than 60 recommendations was reviewed; some were revised, some added. Based on that weekend, a new report was developed and participants called for an open process to review the recommendations.

The latest draft report of the 21st Century Right to Know project is now available for review and comment through a.nnotate.com, which allows readers to place virtual Post-It Notes on the document. Alternatively, readers can download a copy and e-mail reactions to smoulton@ombwatch.org. Given the final report must be ready to give to the new president's transition team the day after the election, comments must be provided no later than Oct. 27.

The draft report currently consists of five chapters:

  • Chapter A — Introduction: describes a brief history of government openness tracing back to the Continental Congress and the current status of government transparency, which has seen many threats but also some improvements.
  • Chapter B — First 100 Days: depicts the need for major reforms in light of the current state of excessive secrecy and restricted public access and provides five recommendations for the president to immediately undertake.
  • Chapter C — National Security and Secrecy: provides specific recommendations to addresses the increase in government secrecy that has occurred under the excuse of national and homeland security concerns.
  • Chapter D — Usability of Government Information: focuses on recommendations for how interactive technologies can make information more easily accessed and used by the public, including protecting the integrity of information and use of best formats and tools.
  • Chapter E — Creating a Government Environment for Transparency: addresses recommendations for incentives and other shifts in government policies and mechanisms to encourage transparency.

Over the past several years, the release and disclosure of government information, whether it be health, safety, environmental, financial, or national security information, has taken a backseat to misguided homeland security policies and efforts to protect special interests. With a new president and Congress, we expect there will be increased awareness of the need for greater disclosure of federal government practices and information. This project seeks to capitalize on that opportunity and create a unified message to the next president that great improvements in government transparency are desperately needed to help restore the public's trust in government.

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