Wednesday 1 July 2009

Declassification Policy Forum launched

The Public Interest Declassification Board is an advisory committee established by Congress in order to promote the fullest possible public access to a thorough, accurate, and reliable documentary record of significant U.S. national security decisions and activities. On Monday, they launched an online forum on their blog , asking the public for comments on how classified national security information policy should be revised in four topical areas: Declassification Policy (June 29 - July 1), a National Declassification Center (July 2 - July 4), Classification Policy (July 5 - July 7), and Technology Challenges and Opportunities (July 8 - July 10). Each topic will be available for comments for three days. At the conclusion of the third day, the comment function on the topic will be turned off and the next topic will begin the following day. After each topic closes, a concluding summary will be posted. Participants may make suggestions or comments, vote on previous postings, and flag topics that are off-topic. The Public Interest Declassification Board members "look forward to receiving thoughtful ideas and innovative suggestions that will further the policy discussion and assist the Board in making recommendations to the National Security Advisor. "
In addition to the online discussion, the Board will also accept input via email (PIDB@nara.gov), fax (202-357-5907), and US mail (Public Interest Declassification Board, National Archives and Records Administration, 700 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Room 100, Washington, DC 200408-0001).

No comments: