Annotated bibliography - books

Below is a list of books, including a paragraph description of each and alphabetized by author, related to access issues. This was compiled by AccessNorthwest intern John Fetters in February 2004.

Bok, S. (1983). Secrets: On the ethics of concealment and revelation. New York: Vintatge.
This book addresses the issue of secrets in general. Bok offers extensive literature on specific types of secrets such as: secrets of the state, military secrets, investigative journalism. Bok also includes pages devoted to the “public’s right to know.”

Bunker, M.D. (1997). Critiquing free speech: First Amendment theory and the challenge of interdisciplinarity. Mahwah, N.J.: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
The author explores the work of contemporary free speech critics. Bunker suggests that we should be wary of interdisciplinary approaches to free speech theory.

Bunker, M.D. (1997). Justice and the media: reconciling fair trials and a free press. Mahwah, N.J.: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Bunker examines the fragility and resiliency of free speech. He focuses on how the Supreme Court has dealt with the problem of restrictions on media coverage and court proceedings, prior restraint, post-publication sanctions on the press, and the media’s right of access to criminal proceedings.

Chamberlin, B.F. & Brown, C.J. (Eds.) (1982). The First Amendment reconsidered: new perspectives on the meaning of freedom of speech and press. New York: Longman.
This book brings together winning papers from the First Amendment Theory competition by the Association for Education in Journalism. Also compiled in the book are works from the 1980 AEJ convention. The three parts of the book include: the role of the states reconsidered; the twentieth century search for the meaning of freedom of the press; and the First Amendment in the 1980s.

Chang, N. (2002).Silencing political dissent. New York: Seven Stories Press.
This book is concentrated on how post September 11th anti-terrorism measures have threatened our civil liberties. The 168 page book goes over the U.S. Patriot Act, increased government secrecy, the monitoring of attorney-client communications in federal prisons, and the increasing blurred line between ideology and terrorism.

Cliffe, L., Ramsay, M. & Bartlett, D. (2000). The politics of lying: Implications for democracy. New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan.
This book is a critique of government deception and how democratic political institutions operate. The authors provide analyses of how and why government lying occurs. This book also contains documented cases where U.S. and U.K. governments have allegedly lied to the public. The authors also offer ways to limit government deception.

Cross, H. (1953). The people’s right to know: legal access to public records and proceeding. Morningside Heights, N.Y.: Columbia University Press.
This book serves more as a guide to journalists at a time before the Freedom of Information Act, when many didn’t know how to obtain government information or report on government meetings. Cross presents sections on the sources of the law, statutes, court decisions, and official regulations. The book also has information on the inspection of state judicial records, access to judicial proceedings, and access to state and municipal legislative and administrative proceedings.

Davis, C.N. & Splichal, S.L. (Eds.) (2000). Access denied: freedom of information in the information age. Ames: Iowa State University Press.
This book compiles works by several authors concerning the topic of open access to government information. Some of the issues the book addresses are: the public support for access to government records; access to electronic records in the states; access and new media technology. The book features pieces by Paul D. Driscoll, Michele Bush, Bill F. Chamberlin, Susan Dente Ross, Matthew D. Bunker, Charles N. Davis, Paul H. Gates, Jr, Martin E. Halstuk, Matthew D. Bunker, and Sandra F. Chance.

Demac, D.A. (1984). Keeping America uniformed: government secrecy in the 1980s. New York: Pilgrim Press.
Demac’s book focuses on the state of secrecy in the government during the Reagan administration and the potential ramifications. The author argues that “the smaller the circle of knowledge, the greater the incidence of undetected error and of detachment from reality.” This would be an excellent source if a person were concerned with secrecy in the '80s.

Dorsen, N. & Gillers. S. (Eds). (1974). None of your business: Government secrecy in America. New York: Viking Press.
This 351-page book addresses many different areas of government secrecy. One focus is on the government’s system of classification and the problems with it. It also discusses the Freedom of Information Act, pressures on the press and whistle blowing.

Galnoor, I. (Ed.) (1977). Government secrecy in democracies. New York: New York University Press.
Several authors contribute to this book that offers a comprehensive perspective of government secrecy in ten nations, such as the U.S., Canada, U.K., Israel, the Netherlands, and others. This book takes the stance that the public cannot form an adequate judgment on policy unless all necessary information is made available. However, this cannot be done without also exposing sensitive information to our enemies.

Halperin, M.H. & Hoffman, D.N. (1977). Top secret: national security and the right to know. Washington: New Republic Books.
Halperin and Hoffman offer a study of government secrecy written entirely from public sources. The book features sections on: the myths and reality of secrecy, lessons of the past: the secrecy system in operation, and recent efforts at reform. Halperin worked as a staff member of the National Security Council in 1969 when the U.S. began bombing Cambodia. He also had general supervisory responsibility for the production of the Pentagon Papers while serving as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense from 1967 to 1969.

Hernon, P. & McClure, C. (1984). Public access to government information: issues, trends, and strategies. Norwood, N.J.: Ablex Pub. Corp.
This book identifies important issues related to accessing government information sources. The author recommends a more effective use of information sources and services and argues the need for a research base related to government information resources and services.

Hoduski, B.A. (2003). Lobbying for libraries and the public’s access to government information: an insider’s view. Lanham, M.D.: Rowman & Littlefield.
Hoduski gives the reader an insider view of her experience working with Congress and other branches of the federal government to secure funding for libraries and promote access to government information. Her assessment is that there is much work to be done including the funding of the Federal Depository Library Program and greater awareness of electronic information.

Hoffman, D.N. (1981). Governmental secrecy and the founding fathers: a study in constitutional controls. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press.
Hoffman relates current government secrecy to what the framers of the constitution intended. He asserts that the framers founded our government on principles of accountability and the rule of law. Secrecy, then, runs in conflict to the framers because it prevents accurate public assessment of government decisions and procedures.

Katz, S.L. (1987). Government secrecy: decisions without democracy. Washington D.C.: people for the American Way.
This 105-page book outlines government secrecy in eight chapters. Katz’ book includes chapters discussing topics such as: opening our eyes to secrecy, the President’s secret laws, secrecy in the name of national security, government employees: sworn to secrecy, restricting scientific and academic freedom, press censorship, and the Freedom of Information Act.

Kupferman, T.R. (Ed.) (1990). Censorship, secrecy, access, and obscenity: readings from communications and the law, 3. Westport, CT: Meckler Corporation.
This collection of writing addresses the problems with restricted public access to information. The book includes chapters on: closed courts and the impact on the press, national security vs. the need for public truth, obscenity and the Supreme Court, prior restraint, and open meetings in higher education.

MacKenzie, A. (1997). Secrets: the CIA’s war at home. Berkeley: University of California Press.
MacKenzie presents a book about the CIA’s role in suppressing information from the public. According to MacKenzie, in the decades that followed the passage of the 1947 National Security Act, the CIA would become increasingly involved in domestic politics. When the Freedom of Information Act was passed in 1966, it created much conflict with the '47 Act. MacKenzie documents a series of confrontations between those for reducing government secrecy and those bent on adding layers to it.

Marsh, D. (1991). 50 ways to fight censorship: and important facts to know about the censors. New York: Thunder’s Mouth Press.
The author of this book focuses on the current state of censorship impacting commercial music. He makes several suggestions to help offset this problem such as registering to vote and knowing who your elected representatives are. However, his book mostly addresses the shift in the source of censorship from a state action to a more freelance censor, such as people like Tipper Gore and Susan Baker.

McClure, C.R., Hernon, P. & Relyea, H.C. (Eds.). (1989). United States Government Information Policies: views and perspectives. Norwood, N.J.: Ablex Publishing Corp.
This book gives context about government information and the historical development of federal information policy. It offers perspectives from Congress, the Office of Management and Budget, the private sector and the citizen. Other areas that are examined are: the electronic collection and dissemination of information by federal agencies, economic considerations of federal information policies, and the maze of statutes, directives, and safety nets that protect certain types of information.

McIntosh, T.J. (1990). Federal Information in the electronic age: policy issues for the 1990s. Washington D.C.: The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc.
The author stresses that necessary public policy decisions lag behind the technological potential. This book details the types of information currently available electronically. The main focus is on what information the government should distribute electronically, when they should distribute it, and when they should rely on the private sector.

Melanson, P.H. & Summers, A. (2002). Secrecy wars: national security, privacy, and the public’s right to know. Washington D.C.: Brassey’s, Inc.
This book covers government secrecy and examines such topics as political assassinations, nuclear safety, Secret Service protection of the presidents and CIA alleged operations involved in the sale of crack cocaine. The authors include several interviews of primary sources, as well as a look at information obtained through the Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act.

Mount, E. & Newman, W.B. (1985). Top secret/ trade secret: Accessing and safeguarding restricted information. New York, N.Y.: Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc.
This book comes from the perspective of protecting sensitive information from disclosure, mainly in the private-sector. The authors illustrate how a company can analyze its security needs and protect sensitive information. They also explain the relevant legal issues. This book gives the reader the ability to restrict legal, financial, scientific, technical, and other information.

Moynihan, D.P. (1998). Secrecy: the American experience. New Haven: Yale University Press.
Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan offers an account of the development of secrecy as a way of regulation in U.S. government. He describes this secrecy since World War I; how it came to be, how world events shaped it, how it has affected political decisions. Moynihan also tells why this secrecy has yet to be stopped.

National Research Council (1995). A Review of the Department of Energy Declassification Policy and Practice. Washington D.C.: National Academy Press.
Information is given that describes the declassification process at the Department of Energy. Included is: a description of the current system, basic principles and priorities for change, issues in classification policy and how documents are declassified. The Council also provides a summary of recommendations provided and how to improve their declassification system.

Price, M. E. (2002). Media and Sovereignty: The global information revolution and its challenge to state power. Boston, Mass.: MIT press.
Price describes how the media have been major players in the government’s efforts to reinforce sovereignty and define national identity. However, the author argues that globalization is altering media practices, institutions and content. He addresses the institutional and technological change occurring and how the state controls the forms of information reaching its citizens.

Robertson, K.G. (1982). Public secrets: a study in the development of governmental secrecy. New York: St. Martin’s Press.
Robertson attempts to explain why three different democracies have such different attitudes toward, and legislation on, the control of government information. The author examines the historical development of governmental control over information in the U.K., U.S., and Sweden. Each system provides each government with different interests in control, and authority of control, over information.

Rogers, D.J. (1986). Press versus government: constitutional issues. New York: J. Messner.
Rogers discusses landmark court cases involving conflict between the government and the media. The book includes cases such as: Watergate, the invasion of Grenada, N.Y. Times v. Sullivan and many others.

Rozell, M.J. (2002). Executive privilege: presidential power, secrecy, and accountability. Lawrence, Kan.: University Press of Kansas.
The main focus is on the President’s executive privilege and the recent revival of this power. President Clinton’s and President Bush’s reinstatement of executive privilege have precipitated controversy over attempts to withhold testimony, documents, and other sources of information about the operations of the executive branch.

Sadofsky, D. (1990). Knowledge as power: political and legal control of information. New York: Praeger.
Sadofsky offers why truth, privacy, and the government seem to be locked in seemingly perpetual conflict. He gives an overview of our information policy, information and the bureaucracy, personal rights, popular sovereignty, and the separation of powers.

Sankey, M.L. (Ed.). (1999). Public records online: the national guide to private and government online sources of public records. Tempe, AZ.: Facts on Demand Press.
This book gives information about using online sources to access government information. It informs readers about what information is available, how it is gathered and stored, who has it, and where to locate it. This is a good guide for those getting accustomed to the growing move towards electronic government information.

Simmons, J.S. & Dresang, E.T. (2001). School censorship in the 21st Century: A guide for teachers and school library media specialists. International Reading Association.
The authors examine how access to information and freedom of speech provided by the internet and other digital technologies has changed the nature of censorship. They describe new concerns for censorship in American schools. Much emphasis is placed on the challenges to a student’s right to read and a teacher’s right to choose instruction materials.

Theoharis, A.G. (Ed.) (1998). A culture of secrecy: the government versus the people’s right to know. Lawrence, Kansas: University Press of Kansas.
This book contains passages written by several different authors covering many topics concerning secrecy. One author describes the Freedom of Information Act and its use concerning the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Another author examines secrecy and the National Security Agency.

Wise, D. (1973). The politics of lying: government deception, secrecy, and power. New York: Random House.
Wise covers topics such as governmental deception, the politics of lying, the president’s role, national security, and the press. The author goes into depth about the Nixon administration and its relationship to the press, and information leaks to the media.

Weiss, A.E. (1990). Who’s to know? Information, the media, and public awareness. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
Does the public have a right to know? This question is addressed in Weiss’ book. Weiss discusses the factors that may interfere with that right and limit public knowledge. She uses examples from current events which dramatize complex issues of media censorship.

World Bank (2002). The right to tell: the role of mass media in economic development. Washington D.C.: World Bank.
This book features pieces written by several acclaimed authors including Nobel Prize winner Joseph Stiglitz, Irrational Exuberance author Robert Shiller, and Nobel Prize-winning novelist Gabriel Garcia Marquez. These authors all argue for a free and independent press. They assert that open media free of censorship, is necessary for social and economic growth.

Zerman, M.B. (1986). Taking on the press: constitutional rights in conflict. New York: Crowell.
Conflicts between the First Amendment rights of the press and the rights of individuals and government are explored through actual, well-known cases.