Blog Posts and Analysis / Open, Accountable Government

Delaware Professor Sues Pentagon for Coffin Photos

A University of Delaware professor of communications is suing the Pentagon to make public the photos of returning soldiers' coffins to American soil. The lawsuit challenges a 1991 ban on media coverage of fallen soldiers' coffins flown to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware before being returned to their hometowns around the country. Former network television correspondent Ralph Begleiter, together with the National Security Archive, had filed requests under the Freedom of Information Act to obtain photos and moving recordings of all coffins passing through Dover since October 2001.

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Senate Chairman Refuses to Release Richard Clarke's Testimony

For almost four months Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS), Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, has refused to release declassified testimony related to the 9/11 investigation from former White House Counterterrorism Chief Richard Clarke. Given the critical nature of Clarke's public statements and the proximity of elections, political motivations for the repression are strongly suspected.

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Critical Habitat Proposed for Endangered Species Challenged Under Data Quality Act

The Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) proposed designating 376,095 acres essential to the survival of the southwestern willow flycatcher. The southwestern willow flycatcher is an endangered bird whose habitat covers the southwestern portion of the United States. Information related to this endangered species was challenged under the Data Quality Act in 2003 and may have helped shape the habitat designation.

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Congress Passes Limited FOIA Exemption for Satellite Imagery

The House and Senate adopted a new Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) exemption without the overly broad language originally proposed by the Senate, which would have provided a blanket prohibition on disseminating any commercial satellite imagery or derived products. The exemption was part of the 2005 Defense Authorization Act passed Oct. 9.

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Justice Asks to Submit Secret Evidence on Transportation Rule

The Justice Department has requested permission to submit evidence to the court under seal in a case about a secret security rule. The case involves a secret transportation security rule that requires airline passengers to show identification in order to fly.

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OpenTheGovernment.org Targets Secrecy in Post Ad

OpenThegovernment.org, a broad-based coalition of more than 30 groups dedicated to fighting government secrecy and strengthening open government, placed a quarter-page ad in the Washington Post Oct. 13. The primary message states, "Our Safety Depends on the Free Flow of Information … Let's Turn the Tide on Secrecy." The coalition placed the ad as part of its campaign to raise awareness about the problems of unnecessary government secrecy, which undermines public health and security. Learn more.

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Fox Guarding the Clearinghouse on Contracts Data

On October 1, a downsized government office turned over key data on roughly $290 billion worth of government contracts to a private company to provide online access. Critics on the left and right predict this move could raise barriers to public disclosure and undermine the public's ability to hold federal contractors and government officials accountable for the way taxpayer dollars are spent.

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