Originally published January 9 2006
Bush signs executive order that suggests protection for consumer information
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Mark Tapscott, director of the Center for Media and Public Policy at the Heritage Foundation, examines the significance of President Bush's signing of a new executive order that complies with the Freedom of Information Act.
President Bush yesterday directed federal agencies to be more efficient in dealing with requests for government information, but he left in place a 4-year-old policy that restricts access under the Freedom of Information Act.
Bush signed an executive order that calls on agencies to take several consumer-friendly steps, including streamlining the handling of requests under the FOIA and appointing senior officials to monitor compliance with the law.
"It's positive in the sense that it puts the president on record as recognizing that there is a problem with the FOIA process," said Mark Tapscott, director of the Center for Media and Public Policy at the Heritage Foundation.
"But the negative is that the focus is on process rather than getting at the root problems --- too broad exemptions and complete lack of any penalties either for individuals or agencies that violate FOIA," Tapscott said.
"Any step that improves agency compliance with FOIA is certainly welcome, but this one isn't nearly enough," Tomlin said.
The government spends $300 million a year on FOIA matters and has taken expansive steps to improve government transparency and responsiveness, administration officials told Congress this year.
But watchdog and media groups have said that there has been a shift away from disclosure since an instruction from then-Attorney General John Ashcroft to agencies shortly after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
Ashcroft advised against the release of information when there was uncertainty about whether FOIA exemptions applied, such as for national security and law enforcement material.
He reversed a Clinton administration policy that urged agencies to resolve FOIA requests by erring on the side of releasing, not withholding, government information.
Bush said last spring that he would look at ways to speed FOIA responses, acknowledging there is "suspicion" his administration is too security-conscious.
Several lawmakers who have sponsored FOIA bills said Bush's order was a good step.
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