Friday, February 10, 2012

Smithsonian Unveils New Disclosure Policy

January 31, 2009

On the heels of President Barack Obama's "Day One" memos to encourage a more transparent and responsive federal government, the Smithsonian Institution last week formally adopted a new policy for responding to records requests. "It is the policy of the Smithsonian Institution... to respond timely to written requests for Smithsonian information consistent with the principles of disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act and in a manner that fosters openness and accountability and supports the Smithsonian's mission," the new policy states.

The museum complex is not subject to FOIA because of a 1997 federal court ruling but has been using a policy for releasing records modeled on FOIA since November. Monday's announcement made that system official. When considering requests for information, the Smithsonian will apply a "presumption of disclosure" and will provide information "except where disclosure would be harmful to an interest protected by an exemption." The Smithsonian has been criticized for limiting access to files in the past. In June, several senators introduced legislation that would have required the Smithsonian to comply with FOIA, according to the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press.

Join the Discussion

The National Journal Group has the right (but not the obligation) to monitor the comments and to remove any materials it deems inappropriate.

Comments powered by Disqus

 

Archives

Monthly Archives

Categories

Recent Posts

Recent Comments


Contributors

Juliana Gruenwald

Tech Writer

E-Mail: jgruenwald@nationaljournal.com.


Juliana Gruenwald has been covering tech and telecom issues for more than a decade for National Journal, Interactive Week, BNA and Congressional Quarterly. This is her second stint with National Journal. She was recruited by NJ in 1998 to help launch its first tech policy publication, Technology Daily. She left in 2000 to cover international tech and telecom issues for Ziff Davis Media's Interactive Week magazine. She started her career at United Press International as the wire service's first Helen Thomas Intern. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota. A Minneapolis native, she misses the lakes but not the cold.


Josh Smith

Tech Reporter

E-Mail: joshsmith@nationaljournal.com.


Josh Smith covers technology policy as a staff reporter for National Journal. He previously interned at National Journal Daily, a Senate press office, and the Deseret News in Salt Lake City where he covered the state legislature, courts, and crime. In 2009 he graduated with honors from Southern Utah University after managing an award-winning student newspaper as editor-in-chief. Josh has received state, regional and national awards for his political and policy reporting, including first place in CapitolBeat’s 2009 Best of Statehouse Reporting college competition. A native of drop-dead-gorgeous Utah, Josh lives in Virginia with his wife, Amber.