Fraternity-Testvériség, 1966 (44. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1966-08-01 / 8-9. szám

F RATERN I TY

\A Ak A A iVi ^ a a A J

OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE HUNGARIAN REFORMED FEDERATION OF AMERICA Edited by the Officers of the Federation

Published monthly, with the exception of the summer months, when the June-July and August-September issues are combined

Subscription for non-members in U. S. A. & Canada $2, elsewhere $3 a year

Office of Publication: Expert Printing, 4627 Irvine St., Pittsburgh, Pa. 15207 Editorial Office: 3216 New Mexico Avenue, N. W., Washington, D. C. 20016

Volume XLIV AUG.-SEPT. 1966 Number 8-9

THE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE TO KNOW

President Johnson signed the so-called “freedom of information bill” on Independence Day. It will become effective in one year and is designed to insure the public greater access to federal records.

In signing the new law, President Johnson stated that it

sprang from one of our most essential principles. Said the President: “A democracy works best when the people have all the information that the security of the nation permits. No one should be able to pull curtains of secrecy around decisions which can be revealed without injury to the public interest.’'’

At the same time the President pointed out that “the welfare of the nation or the rights of individuals may require that some documents not be made available. As long as threats to

peace exist, for example, there must be military secrets.” He also noted that data in personnel files must be protected and that government officials must be able to be fully in touch with each other without fear of publicity.

While some categories of records — those, for example, involving national security, personnel matters and trade secrets —•

are exempt, a broad mass of information in government files is to be opened to public view for the first time. The law says that anyone can demand to inspect the records of any executive agency. If the agency claims that the record requested is exempt, the matter can be taken to a federal court, where the government has the burden of proving that it has the right to withhold the record requested.