2.5: Declassification Programs

Prioritize the records to be declassified and posted.

Other Information:

Substantial resources have been dedicated to the Systematic Review Program, an initiative to make Department records 25 years and older available to the public. Since the enactment of EO 12958 in 1995, the Department has reviewed 90 million pages of records for declassification and forwarded them to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) where they will be made available to public researchers. This commitment to the declassification of State’s historic records has enhanced government transparency and increased the public’s understanding of foreign policy. For more information on Department Declassification Programs visit: http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/136600.pdf In addition, IdeaScale will be used to solicit input from US citizens that will be helpful in prioritizing the records to be declassified and posted. As permanent record series become 25 years old, they will be reviewed for declassification. These record series are described in State’s Records Disposition Schedules [see link above]. The Department establishes priorities among the eligible series based on guidance from the National Archives and Records Administration and input from the public. Citizens wishing to make recommendations for priorities among the permanent record series can visit State’s Open Government site and register their recommendations.

Indicator(s):

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