Focus Issues
Combating Government Secrecy through Freedom of Information
Combating Government Secrecy through Freedom of Information
It Takes a Global Village to Fight Efforts to Subvert Open Government Policies
As we have seen in the United States, political transitions can be a precarious time for government openness and accountability. There are myriad ways that governments backslide, ranging from abandoning international agreements and multi-stakeholder initiatives, to threatening the independence of courts and legislative bodies, to direct attacks against journalists, civil society and political opponents.
OTG praises the Transparency in Government Act
Today, Representative Mike Quigley introduced the Transparency in Government Act (TGA), legislation that encompasses a wide range of reforms aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability across government.
Open the Government Applauds Requirement in Defense Bill Stipulating Better Reporting on Civilian Casualties Caused by U.S. Military Forces
Be wary of selective disclosures
Last week, the CIA announced that it was declassifying and releasing a new trove of documents from the government’s files on Osama bin Laden, ostensibly in the interest of transparency and public education.
Coalition calls for stronger surveillance reforms to protect against warrantless surveillance of Americans
Today, OTG joined a letter calling on members of the House Judiciary Committee to close the loophole in the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) that the government uses to conduct surveillance of Americans without a warrant.
OTG Town Hall: Exposing secret government surveillance and combating threats to privacy, civil liberties and civil rights
Join us for an OpenTheGovernment town hall to discuss efforts to combat secrecy and build consensus around ways to address constitutional threats stemming from warrantless government surveillance programs. Experts will provide insight into the policies and practices that give the FBI and domestic law enforcement access to information collected without a warrant, and the dangers this poses to privacy, civil liberties, and civil rights (RSVP here).