RE: Support the "Openness Promotes Effectiveness in Our National Government Act"

Dear Senator ,

I urge you to support the "Openness Promotes Effectiveness in Our National Government Act," (S. 394) which includes a series of much-needed corrections to policies that have eroded Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). This legislation is an important step in stopping the growing trend towards secrecy in the federal government. It would ensure the public has access to important information without endangering national security. The principle of open government is a core American value. It should not be set aside except for genuine reasons of national security.

I am deeply disturbed about the recent trend toward government secrecy, and the federal government�s current unwillingness to release important, relevant information on a range of issues. Recent scandals around torture and prison abuse have demonstrated that government employees and officials must be accountable to the public. As members of the public, we have the right and responsibility to know what is happening in our government, and to know what the government is doing about any problems. We must ensure the government stays accessible and accountable.

S. 394 provides important and reasonable improvements to FOIA. It sets enforceable time limits for agencies to respond to requests, implements news media status rules that recognize the reality of freelance journalists and the Internet, and provides strong incentives for agency employees to improve FOIA compliance.

I believe these reforms are necessary to stop a growing trend towards secrecy. As J. William Leonard, director of the National Archives' Information Security Oversight Office told a House panel last year, "It is no secret that government classifies too much information," and the amount of materials that should not be classified at all "is disturbingly increasing." This trend needs to be stopped. False claims of government secrecy have distorted our history, hidden government error, and created a gulf between the government and the public.

Please act to restore the accountability of our federal government to its citizens that is essential to a free and democratic society by co-sponsoring S. 394 and working to ensure its passage.

Most Sincerely,

copy to:
The Honourable Gordon Campbell
Premier of British Columbia
Box 9041
Station PROV GOVT
Victoria, BC
Canada V8W 9E1

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