In response to the terrorist attacks of 9/11, the USA PATRIOT Act greatly expanded the ability of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to use National Security Letters (NSLs) in investigations and the contexts in which they could be used by relaxing the standards under which NSLs could be employed. NSLs allow investigators to acquire a significant…

Reviews the development of two similar policy concepts, national security and internal security, before exploring the new phrase homeland security that has become popular since the September 11 terrorist attacks. Discusses the significance of each for information policy and practice. (Author/LRW)

This examination of the news media use of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) as a source of information focuses on three categories of journalists: non-users; reactive or periodic users; and paper chasers. The use of the FOIA reflects differing views on newsgathering methods, i.e., through people or through documents. (CLB)

Provides a preliminary assessment of the impact of the September 11 attacks on public and private information infrastructures. Topics include the role of information technology in future homeland security initiatives; continuity and recovery plans; decentralization of operations; and the development of system redundancies to eliminate single…

Provides examples of how federal agencies have responded to the possibility that terrorists could use information on their Web sites to plan further attacks, following the September 11 attacks. Discusses implications of the removal and alteration of government information and offers suggestions for developing a government-wide Web site policy.…

Discusses implications of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, antiterrorism legislation that was passed after the September 11 attacks, regarding privacy issues. Highlights include information privacy; privacy and government, including increases in the surveillance powers of government; privacy and the private sector; and future possibilities. (Author/LRW)

Discusses information policy in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Topics include access to government records, including Freedom of Information Act issues; removing or expanding information on government Web sites; state actions; coordination versus secrecy in homeland security; and patterns and trends in federal and state…

Four articles explore the concept of national security and its impact on freedom of information, historically and currently, in the United States (Harold C. Relyea, Steven L. Katz), Australia (Richard Alston), and the United Kingdom (David Goldberg). (CLB)

Identifies issues pertaining to federal information that need to be addressed by a national information policy; discusses the failure of the federal government to formulate such a policy, and the reasons for that failure; and describes the author's proposed Government Information Act. (CLB)

Traces trends in the federal government's policy toward publication of statutes and publication practices from the time of the colonies to the present administration. The impairment of the publication of federal administrative law is then discussed in the context of the rise of a national security state. (118 notes with references) (CLB)

Provides an overview of security classification reform for consideration by the Clinton administration and the 103rd Congress. Historical background and current issues related to the security classification of information, personnel security clearances, and industrial safeguarding of classified information are discussed. A checklist of basic…

Summarizes recent developments in information technology research and development, telecommunication services, telephone manufacturing, telecommunication networks, information processing, and U.S. import/export policy. It is concluded that government regulation as a policy strategy depends on how one defines national security. (Author/CLB)

A series of eight articles explores the impact of national security powers on government information policy and practice. Topics discussed include: the Freedom of Information Act; recommended standards for security classification; federal legislation dealing with national security; and national controls on scientific communication. (CLB)

Exploration of major causes underlying the growing amount of classified national security information examines both recent and perennial tendencies. The consequences of this growth for public access, constitutional checks and balances, and changes in the classification system and product are assessed, and corrective measures available to Congress…

Describes the methods used by the Thatcher government to control publication of government information by the press and the recent attempt to prevent the publication of "Spycatcher" by former MI5 agent Peter Wright. The futility of government censorship and the need for guaranteed freedom of the press are also discussed. (113 notes with…