Open The Government

05/01/2021

New: Joe Biden wrapped up his first 100 days in office this week. While he has made some progress in restoring accountability in government, there’s a whole lot more that needs to be done in the next 100 days.

Here are necessary next steps for the Biden administration.

https://bit.ly/3vwDX77

New: Joe Biden wrapped up his first 100 days in office this week. While he has made some progress in restoring accountability in government, there’s a whole lot more that needs to be done in the next 100 days.

Here are necessary next steps for the Biden administration.

https://bit.ly/3vwDX77

04/29/2021

A coalition of 25 privacy, transparency, accountability, and good government groups called on the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments to end the use and funding for National Capital Facial Recognition Investigative Leads System & release all information about the system.
https://www.openthegovernment.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Coalition-Letter-MWCOG-NCRFRILS-Apr2021-002.pdf

A coalition of 25 privacy, transparency, accountability, and good government groups called on the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments to end the use and funding for National Capital Facial Recognition Investigative Leads System & release all information about the system.
https://www.openthegovernment.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Coalition-Letter-MWCOG-NCRFRILS-Apr2021-002.pdf

04/29/2021

CDC head answers journalism group. SPJ chapter calls for dialogue with agency about restraints on reporting

The Washington, D.C. Chapter of Society of Professional Journalists recently reached out to new CDC Director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, urging her agency to grant greater access within the agency to reporters. Her initial response is encouraging.
https://profficecensorship.blogspot.com/2021/04/cdc-head-answers-journalism-group-spj.html

The following went out today, following an email reply from the CDC director to the SPJ DC chapter. Washington, D.C. – The Society of Profe...

04/28/2021

Pittsburgh police investigate correspondence between Clearview and staff

More secretive police use of Clearview’s facial recognition app exposed in Pittsburgh. The Public Source highlighted Open The Government’s work calling for stronger oversight of police departments' use of the technology.

https://www.publicsource.org/pittsburgh-police-clearview-facial-recognition-investigation/

Following a PublicSource inquiry, the bureau launched an internal investigation into communications between bureau staff and Clearview.

04/26/2021

Police technology under scrutiny following Chicago shooting

‘Predictive policing systems like ShotSpotter are coming under more scrutiny amid national outrage over police violence.' Open The Government's Freddy Martinez commented on this The Hill article on why the public's growing awareness of the technology is a turning point.

https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/549612-police-technology-under-scrutiny-following-chicago-shooting

On March 29 at 2:36 a.m., police in Chicago were notified by a system called ShotSpotter that eight gun shots had been fired in the Little Village neighborhood.

04/23/2021

I am Kel McClanahan, a national security expert with National Security Counselors (u/NatlSecCnslrs). I am here to talk about national security transparency and why Biden must make it a priority to reduce harmful secrecy in the federal government....

Happening now: Ask Me Anything with @NatlSecCnslrs’s Kel McClanahan discussing challenges to national security transparency & recommendations in #Accountability2021 to address them. Ask your question! #AskNatlSecCnslrsAnything

https://bit.ly/3gEdEYz

Hi Reddit, Kel McClanahan here, a national security law expert with National Security Counselors (u/NatlSecCnslrs), and a coalition partner of...

04/23/2021

I am Kel McClanahan, a national security expert with National Security Counselors (u/NatlSecCnslrs). I am here to talk about national security transparency and why Biden must make it a priority to reduce harmful secrecy in the federal government....

In an hour, our Ask Me Anything with Kel McClanahan will officially begin on @reddit_AMA and Twitter. Bring your questions about excessive national security secrecy and join us at 1 p.m. EST

#AskNatlSecCnslrsAnything #Accountability2021

👉 https://bit.ly/2PgIgEd

Hi Reddit, Kel McClanahan here, a national security law expert with National Security Counselors (u/NatlSecCnslrs), and a coalition partner of...

04/23/2021

Remember to join us and Kel McClanahan for a @reddit_AMA / Twitter Ask Me Anything today on national security transparency @ 1 PM EST! #AskNatlSecCnslrsAnything

#Accountability2021

https://bit.ly/2PgIgEd

Remember to join us and Kel McClanahan for a @reddit_AMA / Twitter Ask Me Anything today on national security transparency @ 1 PM EST! #AskNatlSecCnslrsAnything

#Accountability2021

https://bit.ly/2PgIgEd

04/22/2021

[email protected]’s Kel McClanahan will answer questions about excessive national security secrecy that has enabled the abuse of power & violation of human rights & civil liberties. Join Twitter/Reddit Ask Me Anything tomorrow, April 23 @ 1 p.m.

#AskNatlSecCnslrsAnything

04/22/2021

Ending secret law, declassifying CIA torture, & classification reform that ensures the gov’t protects sensitive info are some issues @NatlSecCnslrs will address at tomorrow’s Ask Me Anything at 1 p.m. Remember to join the Twitter/Reddit conversation.
#AskNatlSecCnslrsAnything

Ending secret law, declassifying CIA torture, & classification reform that ensures the gov’t protects sensitive info are some issues @NatlSecCnslrs will address at tomorrow’s Ask Me Anything at 1 p.m. Remember to join the Twitter/Reddit conversation.
#AskNatlSecCnslrsAnything

04/22/2021

OTG Leads Coalition of 26 Organizations & Experts in Call for Classification Reform - Open The Government

New: Our coalition’s letter to President Joe Biden urging him to remember his pledge to ‘rebuild trust with the American people,’ by prioritizing classification reform that will peel back layers of “unwarranted and harmful secrecy”.
#Accountability2021 #NatSec Week

https://www.openthegovernment.org/otg-leads-coalition-of-26-organizations-experts-in-call-for-classification-reform/

Today, transparency, accountability, and human rights organizations and experts called on the Biden administration to take on national security classification reform ahead of the 20th anniversary of the September 11th terror attacks in the fall. In a letter to the president, the coalition urged Bide...

04/22/2021

It’s past time for national security classification reform. @NatlSecCnslrs Kel McClanahan is hosting a Ask Me Anything (AMA) session on it tomorrow, April 23 at 1 p.m.

We’re taking questions, so send yours in with the hashtag
#AskNatlSecCnslrsAnything! #Accountability2021

It’s past time for national security classification reform. @NatlSecCnslrs Kel McClanahan is hosting a Ask Me Anything (AMA) session on it tomorrow, April 23 at 1 p.m.

We’re taking questions, so send yours in with the hashtag
#AskNatlSecCnslrsAnything! #Accountability2021

04/21/2021

In response to mounting evidence that DHS & other federal agencies are buying massive amounts of sensitive info from unregulated data brokers & targeting vulnerable communities, Senator Ron Wyden & Congressman Jerry Nadler have introduced the #4thAmendmentIsNotForSale Act.

The legislation would prevent police from using data companies obtained via user’s account or violating terms of services. It would put a stop to police accessing data from companies like Clearview which built its database violating companies' terms of services.

04/16/2021

A Key Tool in Covid Tracking: The Freedom of Information Act

In the past year, The New York Times' journalists have relied on #FOIA to access coronavirus-related data after being stonewalled by the federal government. 'Staying on top of agencies to make sure they are being transparent leads to better accountability.' - NYT's MItch Smith
https://nyti.ms/3uUjM2F

See also, OTG’s ‘Sick of Secrecy’ report: https://www.openthegovernment.org/sick-of-secrecy-report-covid-19-exacerbates-agencies-predilection-to-withhold-public-information/

Through open-records laws, Times reporters have acquired data on coronavirus cases that revealed racial inequalities, pinpointed hot spots and uncovered other critical facts.

04/15/2021

New: 14 advocacy organizations called on the
Joe Biden administration to fulfill a campaign promise to relaunch http://Ethics.gov as a robust central repository to ensure government officials aren’t serving their personal interests.

More here: https://www.openthegovernment.org/advocacy-groups-to-biden-administration-relaunch-ethics-gov

New: 14 advocacy organizations called on the
Joe Biden administration to fulfill a campaign promise to relaunch http://Ethics.gov as a robust central repository to ensure government officials aren’t serving their personal interests.

More here: https://www.openthegovernment.org/advocacy-groups-to-biden-administration-relaunch-ethics-gov

04/15/2021

NOW: Hop on liveblog event as we discuss rooting out government corruption.

Use the hashtag #Accountability2021 to ask a question you’d like the experts to answer.

https://www.americanoversight.org/a2021-liveblog

NOW: Hop on liveblog event as we discuss rooting out government corruption.

Use the hashtag #Accountability2021 to ask a question you’d like the experts to answer.

https://www.americanoversight.org/a2021-liveblog

04/15/2021

Join us at 11 AM for a discussion of how government corruption operates in the real world.

If you have a question about corruption, tweet your question with the hashtag #Accountability2021 and the panelists could answer your question!

https://www.americanoversight.org/a2021-liveblog

Join us at 11 AM for a discussion of how government corruption operates in the real world.

If you have a question about corruption, tweet your question with the hashtag #Accountability2021 and the panelists could answer your question!

https://www.americanoversight.org/a2021-liveblog

04/14/2021

Remember to join us tomorrow @ 11am for an #Accountability2021 live blog discussion on rooting out corruption in gov't.

Learn about how government corruption operates, & how to fight it.
https://americanoversight.org/a2021-liveblog

Use the hashtag #accountability2021 to ask a question of the experts.

Remember to join us tomorrow @ 11am for an #Accountability2021 live blog discussion on rooting out corruption in gov't.

Learn about how government corruption operates, & how to fight it.
https://americanoversight.org/a2021-liveblog

Use the hashtag #accountability2021 to ask a question of the experts.

04/14/2021

Liveblog: Rooting Out Corruption in Government - American Oversight

The reality of routine government corruption is different from the popular perception shaped by movies & TV. Understanding how government corruption really works points us to key solutions.

Join us for a liveblog event tomorrow at 11 a.m. to learn more:

https://www.americanoversight.org/a2021-liveblog

The popular perception of government corruption — shaped by movies, television, and the news stories that are salacious enough to break through — often features set piece elements like cash bribes, parties in penthouse suites, or overt quid-pro-quos. That kind of misconduct is real, but it also ...

04/14/2021

Biden on Afghanistan withdrawal: 'It's time to end America’s longest war'

Biden delivered a welcome message on Afghanistan by formally announcing his intention to end America’s longest-running #endlesswar. Congressional oversight is critical as the president executes a plan that should be based on more than strong rhetoric.

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/biden-afghanistan-withdrawal-time-end-americas-longest-war/story?id=77066766

The president announced the withdrawal in the same room where former President George W. Bush announced the war in Afghanistan's start.

04/14/2021

Liveblog: Rooting Out Corruption in Government - American Oversight

The public’s trust in gov't is at near-record lows, but to fight corruption, we first need to understand it. Tomorrow, 4/15 join us for an Accountability 2021 live blog event at 11 a.m. to discuss how corruption operates in the real world - and how we can fight it.

https://www.americanoversight.org/a2021-liveblog

The popular perception of government corruption — shaped by movies, television, and the news stories that are salacious enough to break through — often features set piece elements like cash bribes, parties in penthouse suites, or overt quid-pro-quos. That kind of misconduct is real, but it also ...

04/13/2021

The Washington Post on Twitter

The Biden administration should provide a full accounting to Congress of its plan to withdraw from Afghanistan and must be transparent with the public as it executes it.

https://twitter.com/washingtonpost/status/1381992997328461826

“Biden to withdraw all U.S. forces from Afghanistan by Sept. 11, 2021, the 20th anniversary of attacks that drew U.S. into war there https://t.co/RWZgyX57uq”

04/13/2021

Anti-Corruption Week: Holding Power to Account and Fostering Public Trust – Accountability 2021

With the public’s trust in gov't at near-record lows, this week advocates will highlight #anticorruption reforms @POTUS can adopt to increase accountability, and restore public trust. Read new
blog by Campaign Legal Center on #Accountability2021

https://www.accountability2021.org/2021/04/13/anti-corruption-week-holding-power-to-account-and-fostering-public-trust/

Categories Blog Anti-Corruption Week: Holding Power to Account and Fostering Public Trust Post author By A2021 Post date April 13, 2021 The public’s trust in government is at near record lows. While the reasons for the public’s poor view of government are many, lack of government accountability ...

04/12/2021

Biden DOJ declines to release key Trump documents about zero tolerance

Extremely disappointing President Joe Biden, these documents are critical to holding DHS and the White House accountable for an outrageous family separation policy.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/biden-doj-refuses-release-key-trump-admin-documents-about-zero-n1263829

Among the unreleased documents is the agenda from a May 2018 meeting that included a show of hands vote by Trump officials on whether to separate families.

04/12/2021

The Biden Administration is continuing the ban on unauthorized contact between reporters and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency staff. The press is deliberately being blocked from speaking directly with scientists, with little explanation.

More from Kathryn Foxhall: http://profficecensorship.blogspot.com/2021/04/bidens-epa-officials-contact-between.html

The Biden Administration is continuing the ban on unauthorized contact between reporters and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency staff. The press is deliberately being blocked from speaking directly with scientists, with little explanation.

More from Kathryn Foxhall: http://profficecensorship.blogspot.com/2021/04/bidens-epa-officials-contact-between.html

04/09/2021

For too long government agencies have used overly broad applications of #FOIA exemptions to avoid scrutiny. We are part of a coalition of good government organizations calling on the DOJ to issue a directive that puts a stop to this practice.

https://www.openthegovernment.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Letter-to-the-Attorney-General-on-FOIA-final.pdf

For too long government agencies have used overly broad applications of #FOIA exemptions to avoid scrutiny. We are part of a coalition of good government organizations calling on the DOJ to issue a directive that puts a stop to this practice.

https://www.openthegovernment.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Letter-to-the-Attorney-General-on-FOIA-final.pdf

04/09/2021

Beyond Accolades: Garland’s Support for Transparency Should Mark New Era at the DOJ - Open The Government

After four dark years under Trump, it’s past time the DOJ prioritize transparency & adopt policies that maximize accountability #RighttoKnow #Accountability2021

https://www.openthegovernment.org/beyond-accolades-garlands-support-for-transparency-should-mark-new-era-at-the-doj/

Attorney General Merrick Garland championed the importance of the Freedom of Information Act in a video message to employees of the Department of Justice’s Office of Information Policy during Sunshine Week last month. After four years of a Trump administration that trampled on the public’s acces...