"Openness" meeting closed to the public

[Louisiana1976]

WASHINGTON (AP)-- The Obama administration conducted a workshop on government openness for federal employees behind closed doors Monday, a private training session for freedom-of-information officials to learn about a new U.S. office that settle disputes between the bureaucracy and the public.

The decision to preclude the public and the media from attending the workshop left open government advocates scratching their heads, given President Barack Obama's campaign promise to make his administration the most transparent ever.

A reporter for The Associated Press was turned away from the door Monday.

"If they're getting marching orders, why shouldn't the public be there?" said Jeff Stachewicz, founder of Washington-based FOIA Group Inc., which files hundreds of requests every month across the government on behalf of companies, law firms and news organizations.

snip

http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20091208/NEWS01/912080329/Openness-meeting-closed-to-the-public

[Jkid]

1. Hypocritical much?

a workshop on government openness for federal employees

behind closed doors