[govinfo] GovInfo News 5-17-2007
- From: "Patrice McDermott" <pmcdermott@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "govinfo@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <govinfo@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>, "FOI-L@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx" <FOI-L@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 17 May 2007 16:04:11 -0400
- Watchdog group seeks probe of Education Department use of e-mail
- DHS unit fails to fully disclose use of personal information
- Two-Weeks' Notice Clause May Undo Openness at NOAA
- 101 Open Government Groups Push FOIA Overhaul
Patrice McDermott, Director
OpenTheGovernment.org
www.openthegovernment.org
202.332.OPEN (6736)
- WATCHDOG GROUP SEEKS PROBE OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT USE OF E-MAIL
By Jessica Brady
May 17, 2007
An independent watchdog group asserted Wednesday that employees at the
Education Department may have used personal e-mail accounts often for official
business and called for a formal investigation of the practice. The Center
for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington [CREW] asked the department's
inspector general to look into whether employees have violated the Federal
Records Act, which requires agencies to archive records of official business.
more [GovExec]
Link: CREW announcement
***
- DHS UNIT FAILS TO FULLY DISCLOSE USE OF PERSONAL INFORMATION
By Daniel Pulliam
May 16, 2007
The Customs and Border Protection agency has failed to inform the public how
personal information collected from international travelers is being used, as
required by law, according to a new study. To comply with legal
requirements, CBP, a unit of the Homeland Security Department, must complete a
series of reports that fully describe the use and protection of personal data
collected while prescreening passengers for international flights, the
Government Accountability Office reported. more [GovExec]
Link: GAO Report GAO-07-346
***
- TWO-WEEKS' NOTICE CLAUSE MAY UNDO OPENNESS AT NOAA
May 16, 2007
A new policy at the Commerce Department may undo much of the ability of
government scientists to talk openly to reporters about climate, fisheries,
ozone depletion, or a host of other environmental issues. Under fire, NOAA
had come up with a communications policy that in the view of some promised to
improve openness at the agency. Now that policy has been rescinded and replaced
by an agency-wide policy for the entire Commerce Department, of which NOAA is
an arm. But the new Commerce policy requires scientists and employees to get
approval as much as two weeks in advance if they want to share their personal
views ("non-official communications of interest") with inquiring journalists.
more [Society of Environmental Journalists]
Links: Text of new Commerce Department communications policy.
Text of Lautenbacher transmission memo of March 29, 2007
***
- 101 OPEN GOVERNMENT GROUPS PUSH FOIA OVERHAUL
By Rebecca Carr
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Unlike years past, efforts to overhaul the much beleaguered Freedom of
Information Act are gaining real traction on Capitol Hill. More than 100
organizations sent a letter today to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.,
and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to make sure the momentum
doesn't dwindle. more [Cox Window on Washington]
Link: Letter
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