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Open Government

POGO Files 

Related Resources (government documents and letters)

POGO in the News


POGO Files

The Open Government Partnership
September 9, 2011

Openness Floor
September 7, 2011

POGO and Partners Ask for More Openness on Open Government Partnership Plan
August 16, 2011

We are writing to thank you for opening up the consultation process for the development of the U.S. Government’s action plan as part of its participation in the Open Government Partnership. We are concerned, however, with your stated intent to “post a summary of your submissions online in the future. We do not think this meets the spirit of the consultation process, nor is it in keeping with the President’s commitment to transparent government.


POGO and Partners Urge Senate to Fix the DoD Secrecy Provision
August 15, 2011

On behalf of the undersigned organizations, we are writing to urge you to oppose an over-broad and ill-defined provision relating to “critical infrastructure information,” in Section 1044 of the National Defense Authorization Act, S. 1254, that could prevent the public from having access to critical health and security information.


Podcast: Conflict Zone: Increasing Transparency of NIH-Funded Researchers' Financial Conflicts of Interest
August 2, 2011

In May 2010, leaders at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) proposed a rule that would require NIH-funded researchers to publicly disclose their financial arrangements with drug and medical device companies.

This proposal would bring a much needed dose of transparency to federally funded medical research. Now, one thing stands in its way: the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). POGO is concerned that OMB will weaken or block this proposal, and in July, we sent a letter urging OMB to leave the rule intact.

For this podcast, POGO Staff Scientist Ned Feder and POGO Executive Director Danielle Brian discuss why this proposal is so important. After we recorded this podcast, Nature News  reported that the proposal has been dropped. Things aren't completely final just yet--but if the NIH's disclosure proposal does wind up on the cutting room floor, it would be a significant blow to transparency and taxpayer interests.


Two Pitfalls
April 11, 2011

Release from OpenTheGovernment.org, POGO, and other Partners: Most Agencies Improve Open Government Plans Before Deadline
June 28, 2010

Twenty-two of 39 federal agencies responded to the call from OpenTheGovernment.org to issue revised Open Government Plans by last Friday’s deadline. OpenTheGovernment.org will work with volunteers to re-evaluate the strength of the plans, and provide feedback on the changes. The organization will release updated findings in July.


Audit Reveals Wide Variation in Agency Plans to Make Government More Open
May 3, 2010

A ranking of agencies’ Open Government Plans compiled during an independent audit reveals the strongest and weakest agency plans, with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) at the top of the list and the Department of Justice (DOJ) at the bottom. Strikingly, the audit also found that several agencies that are supposed to lead by example on the government openness front failed to do so in their Open Government Plans.


Conflicting Interests at FDA
August 8, 2008

Obama for...Transparency
June 4, 2008

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Related Resources


The State of the State Secrets Privilege
Podcasts; Collaboration on Government Secrecy, Washington College of Law at American University, POGO's Danielle Brian on Panel Three: Legislative Perspective -- an up-to-date view from Capitol Hill of the prospects for state secrets privilege reform by Congress (01:10:48)
November 18, 2009 


DOE Faces Security Challenges in the Post September 11, 2001, Environment
Robin M. Nazzaro, Director, Natural Resources and Environment Team, Government Accountability Office (GAO)
June 24, 2003 


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POGO in the News


Really Want to Influence Politicians? Stop Donating to Campaigns, Bruce WatsonDaily Finance, November 3, 2011 


Watchdogs wants more lobbying info from supercommittee members, Dave LevinthalPOLITICO, September 15, 2011 


Crowd sourcing can supplement whistleblowing, experts say, Joseph MarksNextgov.com, July 29, 2011 


Watching the watchdog: Cummings grows into oversight role, John FritzeThe Baltimore Sun, June 11, 2011 


When did sunlight become the infectant?, Rep. Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md.)The Hill, May 12, 2011 


House members clash over contractor disclosure order, Alice LipowiczWashington Technology, May 12, 2011 


Budget could close the door on open government, By Ed O'KeefeThe Washington Post; Federal Eye: Keeping Tabs On The Government, April 14, 2011 


Administration falling short on FOIA compliance, critics say, By Robert BrodskyGovernment Executive, March 17, 2011 


Obama receiving transparency award (at a later date) despite criticism, By Ed O'KeefeThe Washington Post; Keeping Tabs on the Government, March 16, 2011 


Publishing contracts online? Not so fast, By Robert BrodskyGovernment Executive, February 10, 2011 


Public interest groups demand renewed probe of CIA’s destroyed torture records, By Stephen C. WebsterThe Raw Story, December 23, 2010 


Whither the Gatekeeper? Navigating New Rules and Roles in the Age of Radical Transparency, With POGO's Danielle Brian, Washington Post's Walter Pincus and Maggie Mulvihill, New England Center for Investigative ReportingNieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University, December 16, 2010 


Agencies use new label for safeguarded docs, By Jolie LeeFederal News Radio, November 5, 2010 


Reforming the way Washington works (Sen. Gillibrand), By Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)The Hill's Congress Blog, July 20, 2010 


Agencies must satisfy taxpayers' hunger for information, By POGO's Angela Canterbury and Bryan RahijaFederal Times, June 13, 2010 


Even the 'worst' open government plans include open source, By Amy VernonNetwork World, May 3, 2010 


Group gives most open government plans mediocre marks, By Aliya SternsteinNextGov.com, May 3, 2010 


House transparency caucus vows to regain public's trust in government, By Aliya SternsteinNextGov.com, April 29, 2010 


Fresher data would improve Data.gov, watchdog groups say, By Alice LipowiczFederal Computer Week, February 5, 2010 


Critics pan release of government information, By Ed O’KeefeWashington Post; The Federal Eye, January 27, 2010 


OMB directs agencies to post more data online, By Gregg CarlstromFederal Times, December 13, 2009 


Can Liberal Democrats Reform the Patriot Act?, By Theo EmeryTIME Magazine, September 25, 2009 


"Good Government" Groups Praise Obama's Higher Threshold for State Secrets Rule, With White House Correspondent Jake TapperABC News Online, Political Punch, September 23, 2009 


Ten administration officials granted exceptions to ethics rule, By Robert BrodskyGovernment Executive, September 9, 2009 


Obama Finds That Washington’s Habits of Secrecy Die Hard, By Sheryl Gay StolbergNew York Times, April 4, 2009 


Obama gets down to business on 1st day, By Todd SpanglerFree Press And Associated Press, January 22, 2009 


Massive New Spending, Bush-Era Policies Top Lists of Concerns For Next Year, By Justin Rood, Megan Chuchmach & Brian RossABC News, January 2, 2009 


'Transparency' fixes seen in Congress' future, By John FritzeUSA Today, January 2, 2009 


Treasury Seeks Wall Street's Help in Bailout, By Tanya SnyderFree Speech Radio News, October 4, 2008 


Congress revamps bailout deal — with 'a few sweeteners' , By Gregg CarlstromFederal Times, October 3, 2008 


Sweeping authority for Treasury chief survives bailout negotiations, By Elizabeth NewellGovernment Executive, October 3, 2008 


Bailout bill would have given Treasury chief unfettered authority, By Robert Brodsky and Elizabeth NewellGovernment Executive, September 29, 2008 


Bailout Outrage Races Across the Web, By Moira HerbstBusinessWeek, September 25, 2008 


BAE technology may have been 'compromised', says Pentagon, By Danny FortsonThe Independent, May 3, 2008 


Security of F-35 Jet Secrets Questioned, By Dana HedgpethWashington Post, May 2, 2008 


Stealth Fighter Security 'May Have Been Compromised' (Updated), By Noah ShachtmanWired News, May 1, 2008 


Pentagon Didn't Safeguard Tech At BAE Facilities - Govt Report, Dow Jones International News, May 1, 2008 


Fighter jet program may have compromised secret technology, By Joelle Tessler Associated Press, May 1, 2008 


Pentagon inspector faults U.S. oversight of BAE, By Jim WolfReuters, May 1, 2008 


Security Dept. Eases Its Nondisclosure Rule, By John FilesThe New York Times, January 18, 2005 


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