Declassification: a clouded environment

Abstract

Declassification is the process of removing restrictions from a record based on the presumption that the information is no longer sensitive. It is a vital part of archival work that has until now been neglected in archival research. The majority of academic journal articles on classification and declassification focus on the political aspects of declassification. Discussions about the mechanics of declassification on the other hand concern themselves with the practical processes of how to declassify information. This article explores the mechanics of declassification in the context of Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs) in order to enrich the discussion on declassification, politics and mechanics inclusive, by analysing the declassification procedures of five IGOs.

The Kenyan Judiciary’s Open Government Initiative: prospects and challenges

“…In the long run, information which is an essential component of transparency must be availed to the citizens and stakeholders for the Open Government Initiative to thrive. Transparency is a broad concept that includes the availability of information and the access and usability of this information by citizens and stakeholders (Araujo and Tejedo-Romero, 2016; Kastenhofer and Katuu, 2016). It would therefore seem that the Kenyan Judiciary is headed toward the right direction by availing information on its operations and performance through the channels identified.…”

The Role of the Media and Civil Society in Intelligence Accountability

“…The overproduction of literature tends to repeat the archetype of mystery, secrecy, hidden power, heroes, demons, and even conspiracy. But this production can evolve if contrasted with written/oral testimonies from declassified secret documentation (Kastenhofer & Katuu, 2016;Ruiz Miguel, 2005). In Spain, for example, modern declassification rules still wait to be updated.…”

Journalistic memory work and transitional justice in Chile: The case of the declassification of the Colonia Dignidad archives in Berlin

“…Even though this process can be found in every record withheld by governmental agencies or other organizations, the exert of such power is particularly visible in classification and declassification decisions. According to Kastenhofer and Katuu (2016), classification implies an assessment on the ‘record’s content and context of creation to determine if its release endangers or harms the organization’ (p. 200). Records Sensitive Lifecycle (RSL) develops with the passage of time, until the sensitivity of the information ‘may decline to the point of having to change the classification level.…”

“…Records Sensitive Lifecycle (RSL) develops with the passage of time, until the sensitivity of the information ‘may decline to the point of having to change the classification level. When the information is no longer deemed to have associated sensitivities and therefore no longer falls within any classified levels, then the record could be declassified’ (Kastenhofer and Katuu, 2016: 200).…”