The Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB), an advisory committee established by Congress to "promote the fullest possible public access to a thorough, accurate, and reliable documentary record of significant U.S. national security decisions and activities" has released a report with recommendations on improving declassification.

• Improving Declassification, A Report To The President From The Public Interest Declassification Board December 2007.

What can be put off is put off; what can go to the end of the queue goes to the end of the queue....

What appears to be missing is a common understanding of the public interest and a common approach to effectuating it....

The tasks ahead remain daunting, and the resources needed to meet existing deadlines and workloads will never be sufficient and are under constant threat of reduction.

News story:

• Panel Urges More Openness, Less Secrecy, by Pete Yost, Associated Press, Jan 9, 2008.