The classification system was designed to protect legitimate secrets, not to shield government agencies from public scrutiny. Yet rampant overclassification, compounded by a broken declassification system, remains one of the most pernicious failures of modern governance—and one of the least addressed. Together, these breakdowns deprive the public and lawmakers of vital insight into government conduct, including whether actions are lawful, effective, or financially responsible.
These twin crises have plagued—and been exploited by—Democratic and Republican administrations alike, demonstrating that the challenge is not partisan, but structural.
It is past time for reform. Here's where to start.
[OP] FreedomofPress | a day ago
The classification system was designed to protect legitimate secrets, not to shield government agencies from public scrutiny. Yet rampant overclassification, compounded by a broken declassification system, remains one of the most pernicious failures of modern governance—and one of the least addressed. Together, these breakdowns deprive the public and lawmakers of vital insight into government conduct, including whether actions are lawful, effective, or financially responsible.
These twin crises have plagued—and been exploited by—Democratic and Republican administrations alike, demonstrating that the challenge is not partisan, but structural.
It is past time for reform. Here's where to start.
Read more: https://knightcolumbia.org/blog/its-past-time-to-fix-overclassification-heres-where-to-start