President Obama Promotes Open Government =======================================================================

President Obama in his first 24 hours in Office issued a series of Executive Orders. One of the Orders dealt with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) activity of federal government agencies. Quoting Justice Louis Brandeis, President Obama declared "sunlight is the best disinfectant." President Obama further stated "in our democracy, the Freedom of Information Act, which encourages accountability through transparency, is the most prominent expression of a profound national commitment to ensuring an open Government. At the heart of that commitment is the idea that accountability is in the interest of the Government and the citizenry alike." President Obama declared the Freedom of Information should be administered with a clear presumption of openness. In response to Freedom of Information requests, executive branch agencies should act promptly and in a spirit of cooperation, recognizing that such agencies are servants of the public. Recognizing that transparency promotes accountability and information maintained by the Federal Government is a national asset, President Obama also declared that all agencies should bring in a culture of open Government. The Executive Order further directed the agencies to take affirmative steps to make information public especially using modern technology and not wait for specific requests. The President’s Executive orders also included active collaboration that engages citizens in the work of their Government, innovation and public feedback as the bedrock of the new administration. Using knowledge in a dispersed society, the orders also called for increased opportunities for citizens to participate in policymaking and to provide the Government with the benefits of the citizen's collective expertise and information.