From jrussell@gpo.govMon Mar 25 08:37:14 1996 Date: Sat, 23 Mar 1996 14:31:55 -0600 From: "Judith C. Russell" Reply to: Discussion of Government Document Issues To: Multiple recipients of list GOVDOC-L Subject: FDLP Study: Draft Report Section 3: Principles of Govt. Information DRAFT REPORT FOR THE STUDY TO IDENTIFY MEASURES NECESSARY FOR A SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION TO A MORE ELECTRONIC FEDERAL DEPOSITORY LIBRARY PROGRAM (FDLP) SECTION III. Principles for Government Information GPO is now compiling the final report for the FDLP study. Included below is the draft of section III. Other sections of the report will be released individually as soon as they are completed. [Attachments are omitted, but will be available with the final report.] Although time is short, your comments are welcome. You can send Internet e-mail to study@gpo.gov or send a fax to the attention of FDLP Study at 202-512-1262. Correspondence can be addressed to FDLP Study, Mail Stop SDE, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20401. ***************************************************************** III. Principles for Federal Government Information The FDLP Study brought together an unprecedented combination of representatives from all of the major parties which share an interest in the continued dissemination of, and access to, Government information through the Federal Depository Library Program. Despite differing viewpoints, agendas and responsibilities, study participants did reach consensus on several basic principles for Federal Government information. Over the years, these principles have been expressed by a wide variety of organizations many times and in many different ways. Last year, the National Commission on Library and Information Science (NCLIS) published their version of the principles for comment in the June 9, 1995 issue of the Federal Register. The NCLIS principles are included as Attachment F. The principles below, which derived from the NCLIS principles, served as the underlying foundation for all study group discussion and activities. Principle 1: The Public Has the Right of Access to Government Information A cornerstone of every democratic society is the public's right to access Government information. Open and uninhibited access to Government information ensures that the public has the opportunity to monitor and participate in the full range of Government activities. As Thomas Jefferson said in 1816, "[I]f we are to guard against ignorance and remain free, it is the responsibility of every American to be informed." Access to Government information, except were restricted by law, is a basic right of every American citizen. It should not be format dependent, nor should it be compromised by the imposition of fees, time delays or copyright-like restrictions imposed by the Government expressly to hinder access, use or redissemination. Principle 2: Government Has an Obligation to Disseminate and Provide Broad Public Access to its Information The Government should not only allow public participation in the democratic process by providing access to its information, but should encourage public participation and use of Government information through proactive dissemination efforts. This principle was the basis for the establishment of the Federal Depository Library Program more than a century ago. It also is supported by hundreds of other Government statutes which prohibit the copyright of Federal information, mandate affirmative public dissemination of such information and assign dissemination functions to a variety of Federal agencies and government-wide clearinghouses. This responsibility also entails providing public access to Government information in such a way that even those citizens without special equipment or training can find, access, and use it. Principle 3: Government Has an Obligation to Guarantee the Authenticity and Integrity of Government Information Government information is used in many ways, some of which affect the continued health and livelihood of the American public. Any corruption of Government information poses a serious and real threat to the common good. Therefore the Government has an obligation to protect its citizens by guaranteeing to the maximum extent possible the authenticity and integrity of its information. Due to the ease in which it currently is possible to manipulate electronic source files, the obligation to provide long range assurances of authenticity will become increasingly important as more Government information moves to electronic format. Principle 4: Government Has an Obligation to Preserve Its Information Government information is part of our national heritage. It documents the fundamental rights of American citizens, the actions of federal officials in all three branches of our Government, and the characteristics of our national experience. Therefore, it is a Government obligation to guarantee the preservation of Government information for future generations of Americans. This principle applies to Government information that contains valuable historical data or that provides evidence of the organizations, functions, policies, decisions, procedures, operations or activities of the Government. Despite changing times and technologies, public access to these types of Government information in a meaningful form must be maintained in perpetuity to ensure the continued accountability of the Government to its past, present, and future citizens. Principle 5: Government Information Created or Compiled by Government Employees or at Government Expense Should Remain in the Public Domain Except when exempted by law, Government information created or compiled at Government expense or by Government employees as part of their official duties, regardless of the format in which it is published, is in the public domain. The Government is precluded by Chapter 1, Title 17, U. S. C. from holding copyright protection for its published and/or unpublished works. This prohibition on copyright should not be undermined by the Government's imposition of copyright-like restrictions on the use or reuse of Government information (i.e. imposition of royalties, establishment of exclusive distribution arrangements, denying access to underlying data). ***************************************************************** Individuals and organizations wishing to provide comments can send Internet e-mail to study@gpo.gov or send a fax to the attention of FDLP Study at 202-512-1262. Correspondence can be addressed to FDLP Study, Mail Stop SDE, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20401.