Coalition of Groups Readies Openness Agenda for Next Administration

A broad coalition of open-government groups is finalizing an ambitious agenda to improve public access to information in the next administration.

The so-called "Recommendations of the 21st Century Right to Know Project," are still in draft form. The project began in July 2007, and the current draft was produced before Barack Obama won the 2008 presidential election.

The recommendations were developed collaboratively by more than 100 groups and individuals, under the leadership of the watchdog group OMB Watch.

Recommendations cover three main areas: security and secrecy, usability of information, and policies and mechanisms to support government transparency. They include specific actions for the first 100 days of the new president and "a long-term vision to strengthen government openness."

The coalition included several journalism groups, as well as environmental, libertarian, and open-government groups.

While the comment period is now officially closed, the draft document can be viewed, and comments offered, online here and here.

• "Project Makes Transparency Recommendations for Next President," OMB Watch, Oct. 21, 2008.