Government Secrecy

The online disclosure of thousands of classified diplomatic, military and intelligence documents by the shadowy Internet site WikiLeaks has dramatically intensified the debate over government secrecy. Open-government advocates argue that federal agencies, including the CIA, keep too much information from the public, undermining the ability of citizens to keep a check on official wrongdoing. Secrecy supporters argue that modern technology gives far too many people access to sensitive information that could threaten the nation's welfare if released. The Obama administration is taking steps to open more of the government's business to public scrutiny, but disclosure advocates say President Obama needs to do even more. Meanwhile, lawmakers, intelligence officials and secrecy experts are debating whether the Espionage Act of 1917, which prohibits the “willful” disclosure of “information relating to the national defense,” needs to be updated.