2014 Press Releases

Public Interest Declassification Board to Host an Open Meeting at the National Archives on November 21, 2013
Press Release · Thursday, November 21, 2013

Washington, DC

More Information

WHAT: The Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) will host an open meeting to discuss its recommendations to the President on Transforming the Security Classification System. The current system, created 70 years ago, is outdated and no longer serves users as it should in today’s digital environment. The PIDB’s recommendations will limit classification, align safeguarding policies, improve the efficiency and effectiveness of declassification processes, and prepare agencies for the challenges associated with large volumes of digital information. The meeting will focus more specifically on prioritizing historically significant topics and events for declassification. Press and media are welcome to attend.

WHO: Speakers will include:

Ambassador Nancy Soderberg, PIDB Chair
David S. Ferriero, Archivist of the United States
Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)

Current PIDB Members [www.archives.gov/declassification/pidb/members.html]

WHEN: Thursday, November 21, 2013, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

WHERE: National Archives and Records Administration
Room 105 – Archivist’s Reception Room
700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20408

This meeting is open to the public. Due to space limitations and access procedures, individuals planning to attend must register through Eventbrite. Attendees must enter through the Pennsylvania Avenue entrance. Please note that we require one form of Government-issued photo identification (for example, a driver’s license) to gain admittance.

Background

The Public Interest Declassification Board is an advisory committee established by Congress in order to promote the fullest possible public access to a thorough, accurate, and reliable documentary record of significant U.S. national security decisions and activities. The Board completed its Report to the President on Transforming the National Security Classification System in 2012 in response to the President's request for assistance in identifying potential solutions for classification and declassification challenges in the digital age and producing a vision for a new system. The Board has nine members, five appointed by the President and four by the Congressional leadership. In addition to Ambassador Soderberg, current Presidential appointees include Martin Faga, William Leary, and Elizabeth Rindskopf Parker. The Minority Leader of the House appointed David Skaggs and the Speaker of the House appointed William O. Studeman. The Majority Leader of the Senate appointed Sanford Ungar and the Minority Leader of the Senate appointed Kenneth L. Wainstein. For more information [www.archives.gov/declassification/pidb].

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For press information, contact the National Archives Public Affairs Staff at 202-357-5300.

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