Update 11/2/04

Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE) and the Project On Government Oversight (POGO) are conducting the second phase of a three-part survey on excessive government secrecy. They’d like each of your organizations to share the questionnaire with members and ask them to individually respond if appropriate. I’ve attached a copy of the one-page form which includes background, instructions, and the four questions. .

The Society of Environmental Reporters has joined with the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press in filing an amicus brief in "Greenwich v. Freedom of Information Commission," an important FOIA case before the Connecticut Supreme Court. The case involves access to GIS and Land Remote Sensing (Landsat) data and the cost of electronic records.

Steve Aftergood reports the Pentagon has acknowledged overclassifying information and is now seeking to bring the process in line through better training and increased oversight. Robert Rogalski, Director of Security, Deputy Undersecretary of Defense (Counterintelligence and Security) told Secrecy News, "We need to continue to aggressively pursue clarifying the policies and educating the people who must implement them." His detailed response: http://www.fas.org/sgp/news/2004/10/dod102904.pdf

Pete Weitzel