Obama Seeks Input on Classification of Records

Starting Monday, citizens will be able to engage in a conversation about the classification of government records. A blog will be used to gather input for 3 days (June 29-July 1), and a discussion forum will run through July 13. Three questions that will be included are: How should the government determine what records should be classified? How can the government improve access to digital records once they are declassified? How can technology be used to improve the declassification process? One caution in the words of Steven Aftergood, director of the Project on Government Secrecy for the Federation of American Scientists, "Just because somebody has a good idea doesn't mean the government is going to accept it. I would not confuse the process with the outcome." Hmmm.... Read more.

Visit the Transparency and Open Government site to access the blog and to keep up to date on Open Government Innovations. Note the link at the right of the page that allows you to "Collaborate on crafting constructive proposals to address challenges from the Discussion phase".

This initiative underscores the administration's commitment to involve citizens in a dialogue - and to use Web 2.0 tools to make that happen.