Obama Should Move Government Into 21st Century Transparency

Do we want a government that is open and accountable?  The obvious answer is yes. Unfortunately, roughly three-quarters of Americans believe the federal government is secretive and increasing in its secrecy.

Independent observers agree that we are rapidly shifting from a society based on the public's right to know to one premised on the need to know, where the government determines the need.  This represents a fundamental shift in democratic precepts, which the new president must fix immediately.

Even if secrecy was not on the rise, President-elect Obama would still face significant challenges in making government more transparent.  At the root of the problem is that government is still grounded in a 20th century (some might even say 19th century) approach to openness.  Yet today's interactive technologies make it possible to make quantum leaps forward in improving transparency.

Transparency is a powerful tool to demonstrate to the public that the government is spending our money wisely, that politicians are not in the pocket of lobbyists and specials interest groups, that government is operating in an accountable manner, and that decisions are made to ensure the safety and protection of all Americans.

Effective transparency means that the public has access to accurate information in a timely manner.  With today's technology, it also means such information should be available in searchable formats, making it easier for commercial or government search engines to sift through mountains of material.

There is much the new president can accomplish quickly to move closer to an open and accountable federal government.  As a first step, the president should use the presidential bully pulpit to discuss the importance of government openness.

The first opportunity will be the inaugural address, where he will have an opportunity to explain that he will oversee the "most open, honest, and accountable government ever."  He can also begin to outline how he will make this happen.

Obama has many transparency models he can pull from. For example, immediately upon taking office in January 2007, Florida Governor Charlie Crist issued an executive order on government ethics that created a new Office of Open Government; ordered training on public records, open meetings, and records retention; required comprehensive reviews of agencies' performance in providing the public access; and directed agencies to use plain language to make information more understandable. The Crist order is a perfect example of laying out a policy vision for government transparency in a manner that conveys the importance of the issue.

The president also must change the almost reflexive deference to the exercise of secrecy by the executive branch when it comes to national security.  Americans recognize there will always be a need for national secrets, which our classification system and exemptions under the Freedom of Information Act can adequately protect.

However, the mindset that secrecy makes us safer must be challenged.  First, too many items are unnecessarily being withheld from public disclosure.  Second, access to information can make our communities and our nation as a whole safer.

With a new presidential administration and a new Congress taking office in 2009, there is a great opportunity, and great need, to increase government transparency. Hopefully our elected leaders will seize the opportunity of a new start and work vigorously to enhance the people's right to know and bring government transparency into the 21st century.

Patrice McDermott is director of OpenTheGovernment.org. Jason Mercier is director of the Center for Government Reform of the Washington Policy Center in Seattle. Both are members of the 21st Century Right to Know Coalition.