Founded in 1985 by journalists and scholars The National Security Archive (NSA) works to put a check on rising government secrecy. The NSA combines a unique range of useful functions:
- a center for investigative journalism
- a research institute on international affairs
- a library and archive of declassified U.S. documents
- an advocate for open government
- an indexer and publisher of former secrets
White House Visitor Logs
NSA offers a place to spend some time in the working of government. For example, small things can reveal larger questions such as ending the disclosure of visitors to the White House log by POTUS45. (here)
Post 9/11 Policy
Because the information is drawn largely from the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests the archive makes it possible to look to the past for some insight into the future. Changes in public policy, after 9/11 is covered in a detailed essay that outlines a long list of initiatives implemented to alter negative views of the United States in the Middle East in this example.
FEC Foils FOIA
The National Security Archive Audit found that only 38 out of 99 federal agencies have updated their FOIA regulations in compliance with the FOIA Improvement Act of 2016. The Federal Election Commission was one of them. It passed with bipartisan, bicameral support. The law requires agencies to update their FOIA regulations within 180 days of passage. It was June 30, when President Obama signed the act which made December 27, 2016, the deadline.
The NSA alone provide insights, however, all the details are on FOIA.gov
Source: National Security Archive | 30+ Years of Freedom of Information Action
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