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Transparency Ombudsman
Have some official with top secret clearance or higher serve as an information ombudsman to both receive requests (C-SPAN style) from the public, and double-check documents where federal agencies claim confidentiality or classification (the onus being on them to opt-in). I'm imagining a low-level cabinet official (maybe the head of a national FOIA library?) who has no influence except the threat of declassification, which can only be overruled by the President.

Why Is This Idea Important?

It will improve the number of declassified documents, produce clear justification when federal authorities restrict access to a document, and more closely link the public's interest with a representative ombudsman accountable to the hundreds of well-intentioned citizens calling in.
Comments
Actually, Congress created this office to be an ombudsman for requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). If you don't like the decision the agency made in withholding information, you can take it to the ombudsman. Or you will be able to, once it gets up and running. This office will be called the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) and exist at the National Archives and Records Administration. The office cannot mandate disclosure or withholding, but must help mediate disputes between agencies and the public, and where mediation fails issue advisory opinions. So the public will be able to get an independent eye to double check an agency's decision. OGIS also must recommend improvements to the way FOIA operations, which should be helpful.
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Idea Rank : 2628