Obama takes on overclassification.

• Position: GOVERNMENT RECORDS - Barack Obama

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

As part of a sweeping overhaul of the executive branch's system for protecting classified national security information, President Barack Obama has signed a new executive order (EO). The new order replaces EO 12958 that was issued by President Bill Clinton in 1995 and later amended by President George W. Bush in 2003. After a review of EO 12958, Obama's national security advisor recommended revisions to improve transparency, openness, and interagency collaboration in how the government handles national security information.

Specifically, the new order:

* Establishes a National Declassification Center (NDC) at the National Archives to streamline declassification processes, facilitate quality-assurance measures, and implement standardized training on the declassification of records with permanent historical value.

* Establishes a policy, for the first time, under which no records may remain classified indefinitely. Also creates tougher standards that agencies must meet to exempt records from automatic declassification after 25 years. The order prohibits records from being classified more than 75 years, except in certain circumstances. It also directs that information not be classified (or be classified at a lower level) when "significant doubt" exists about the need for classification.

* Facilitates greater sharing of classified information among appropriate parties and governments. It calls for the greatest possible access to classified information by authorized persons. The order also significantly modifies the "third agency rule" to permit re-dissemination of classified documents by receiving agencies without the approval of the originating agency, except when the originating agency has indicated on the documents that such prior approval is required.

* Tightens restrictions on reclassification of information after its declassification and release under proper authority.

* Mandates the use of standardized electronic formats and processes for the...