Title: OpenTheGovernment.org

Source/Sponsoring Agency: OpenTheGovernment.org; Blum, Rick

URL: http://openthegovernment.org/

Date Checked: 3/28/2007      Status: Active

Date Annotated: 10/28/2005

Topics: Administrative Law; Politics

Other keywords: Democracy, Freedom of Information

Contents: OpenTheGovernment.org is a coalition of journalists, environmentalists, labor and consumer groups, and others united out of a concern for the expanding secrecy of our local, state and federal governments. The organization is focused on making the federal government more open and accountable, strengthening public trust in government, and supporting universal democratic principles. Of interest to researchers, the site's "Resource Center" contains policy analysis and data on the U.S. Census, energy consumption, and environmental, labor, and transportation concerns. OpenTheGovernment.org also covers the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Homeland Security policies, judicial secrecy, and whistleblower protection issues. OpenTheGovernment.org issues periodic reports on open government and secrecy, including the "Secrecy Report Card" and the "Ten Most Wanted," a list of requested documents as polled by the site's visitors. The site's "Issues" section covers topics such as democracy, national security, and public trust and accountability. These issue pages provide an overview of the subject and links to further reading, with an emphasis on recent and pending policy changes.

Author of Annotation: B. Kreisler