| May 3, 2010 |  |
Audit Finds Some Federal Agencies Lack Openness
A coalition of public interest groups organized by OpenTheGovernment.org released an audit today of the "open government" plans that 29 federal departments and agencies developed as part of President Obama's Open Government Initiative. Tim Donaghy, an analyst with the Union of Concerned Scientists' Scientific Integrity Program, participated in the audit by reviewing the Department of the Interior's plan.
Below is a statement from Donaghy on the overall audit and the Interior Department's plan.
"The audit looks at which agencies are becoming more open and which still have a long way to go. While all agencies have something to learn, those that scored especially low should improve their plans immediately.
"The Interior Department plan has admirable goals but is short on specifics. While Interior's flagship project – to provide information to the public about climate change – is a worthy aim, the department should provide more details on how it intends to reach this goal.
"Unfortunately, the White House's instructions to agencies define 'transparency' too narrowly. As a result, all of the agencies' plans are inadequate. Open government is about more than just disclosing data. The public needs access to experts who can interpret that data.
"The federal government's recent history is filled with cases of scientists being censored or intimidated from speaking about their research results. Currently, scientists at Interior and elsewhere are not able to speak freely to the public and press about their research. Establishing a clear media policy that gives them this right would be a step in the right direction.
"Interior is well aware of this problem. Earlier this year the department hosted an online public forum for citizens to submit their ideas and vote on others. The top vote-getter was a suggestion to improve Interior's media policy. But that call apparently fell on deaf ears, and agency scientists still risk retaliation if they publicly share their scientific analysis.
"When government is truly transparent, political interference in science will become more difficult. Without proper protections in place, any promise of openness in this plan may prove to be hollow."
The Union of Concerned Scientists puts rigorous, independent science to work to solve our planet's most pressing problems. Joining with citizens across the country, we combine technical analysis and effective advocacy to create innovative, practical solutions for a healthy, safe, and sustainable future.
