Who Needs to Know? - The State of Public Access to Federal Government Information
Title | Who Needs to Know? - The State of Public Access to Federal Government Information PDF eBook |
Author | Patrice McDermott |
Publisher | Bernan Press |
Pages | 305 |
Release | 2008-10-13 |
Genre | Political Science |
ISBN | 1598883089 |
Despite intense media scrutiny, only a small percentage of the American government's most essential information reaches the average person. This withholding of information is dangerous in a democratic society, where openness is a cherished value. Here are some samples of the topics included in Who Needs to Know?: The history, use, and abuse of national security classification; The state of the Freedom of Information Act in the Bush Administration; Examination of the concept of sensitive but unclassified and the proliferation of such markings to shut off access to information; The administration s suppression of government science and scientists and its impact on policy and on government employees; The manipulation of the media for both political and ideological reasons; Suggestions on how to connect and communicate with organizations and your elected officials to effect a positive change in the state of public access to federal government information. We the people need to understand how to interact with our government, engage in public policy decision-making, and hold the government (and those who act on its behalf or under its regulations) accountable for sharing information. Dr. McDermott provides historical context on this issue, along with expert insights and useful recommendations from her years at the forefront of the battle to protect the public s right to know.
Access to Government Information In the United States
Title | Access to Government Information In the United States PDF eBook |
Author | Wendy R. Ginsberg |
Publisher | |
Pages | 0 |
Release | 2009 |
Genre | |
ISBN |
The U.S. Constitution makes no specific allowance for any one of the three branches of the federal government to have access to information held by the others. No provision in the U.S. Constitution expressly establishes a procedure for public access to government information. Congress has legislated various public access laws. Among these laws are two records access statutes, The Freedom of Information Act, the Privacy Act, and two meetings access statutes, the Federal Advisory Committee Act, and the Government in the Sunshine Act. This report offers an overview of the four information access laws noted above, and provides citations to additional resources related to these tools.
Access to Government Information in the United States
Title | Access to Government Information in the United States PDF eBook |
Author | |
Publisher | |
Pages | 12 |
Release | 2009 |
Genre | |
ISBN |
The U.S. Constitution makes no specific allowance for any one of the three branches of the Federal Government to have access to information held by the others. No provision in the U.S. Constitution expressly establishes a procedure for public access to government information. Congress has legislated various public access laws. Among these laws are two records access statutes: the Freedom of Information Act (FOI Act or FOIA; 5 U.S.C., section 552), and the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. section 552a), and two meetings access statutes, the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA; 5 U.S.C. App.), and the Government in the Sunshine Act (5 U.S.C. section 552b). The American separation of powers model of government may inherently prompt interbranch conflicts over the accessibility of information. These conflicts are neither unexpected nor necessarily destructive. Although there is considerable interbranch cooperation in the sharing of information and records, such conflicts over access may continue on occasion. This report offers an overview of the four information access laws noted above, and provides citations to additional resources related to these tools.
Overview of the Privacy Act of 1974
Title | Overview of the Privacy Act of 1974 PDF eBook |
Author | United States. Department of Justice. Privacy and Civil Liberties Office |
Publisher | Office of Information & Privacy |
Pages | 336 |
Release | 2012 |
Genre | Law |
ISBN |
2012 edition. Issued biennially. Contains a discussion of the Privacy Act's disclosure prohibition, its access and amendment provisions, and its agency recordkeeping requirements. Provides reference to, and legal analysis of, court decisions interpreting the Act's provisions.
Public Access to Government Information in the 21st Century
Title | Public Access to Government Information in the 21st Century PDF eBook |
Author | United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Rules and Administration |
Publisher | |
Pages | 536 |
Release | 1997 |
Genre | Political Science |
ISBN |
Your Right to Federal Records
Title | Your Right to Federal Records PDF eBook |
Author | United States. General Services Administration |
Publisher | |
Pages | 32 |
Release | 1991 |
Genre | Freedom of information |
ISBN |
Public Access to Government Information in the 21st Century
Title | Public Access to Government Information in the 21st Century PDF eBook |
Author | DIANE Publishing Company |
Publisher | DIANE Publishing |
Pages | 533 |
Release | 1998-05 |
Genre | |
ISBN | 0788149792 |
Presents proceedings of the hearings held in June & July 1996. Testimony from: U.S. Senators, U.S. District Court Judge Royce C. Lamberth, the U.S. Government Printing Office; Nat. Tech. Info. Service; Government Documents Librarian; Amer. Library Assoc.; Univ. of Pittsburgh; Prof. of Computer Science; Univ. of Virginia; Interactive Services Assoc.; U.S. Nat. Commission on Libraries & Info. Science; Info. Industry Assoc.; ABC Advisors Inc.; LEXIS-NEXIS; Nat. Archives & Records Admin.; Printing Industries of Amer.; Claitor's Law Books; Office of Mgmt. & Budget; Departments of Justice, Commerce, & Interior.