Summary: The level of secrecy in the U.S. government is at a level not seen before. Security legislation has eroded the right to information in the United States since 9/11. Recent legislation passed by Congress aims to strengthen the federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which is a critical tool for both reporters and citizens to research public information that could otherwise stay hidden. The panel includes Tom Blanton, director of the National Security Archive, which collects and publishes declassified documents obtained through FOIA; Michelle Roberts, award-winning journalist from The Oregonian, who used FOIA to expose abuse at state mental health facilities in Oregon; and Kevin Dunion, Scotland's information commissioner, who is responsible for enforcing the Freedom of Information Act and Scottish Environmental Information Regulations. Moderated by Carter Center Americas Program Assistant Director Laura Neuman. Panelists share their experiences regarding how the right to information protects people and how the more information there is available, the better decisions we as a public can make.
