Freedom of Information in National Security Affairs: A Comparative Study of Norway and the United States

Abstract

It is commonly assumed that there is much less secrecy in the United States than in its allies across the Atlantic. This paper sets out to substantiate this thesis by means of a comparison between Norway and the US. The Freedom of Information Act and the Executive Order on classification are compared to their Norwegian counterparts and on a number of points the US rules are found to be more liberal. Some material is presented on administrative practices in the two countries. This comparison indicates that the US Freedom of Information Act is used very extensively and increasingly so, whereas the use of the Norwegian Act is not only lower, but declining. 19 possible explanations for the greater secrecy of Norway are offered, and it is suggested that these may serve as a basis for a wider comparative study. Finally, the possibility of convergence is discussed, on the basis of a trend towards a more liberal practice in Norway, while the US has swung back from the post-Watergate openness. It is nevertheless maintained that the US remains well ahead of Norway in its openness on national security issues.

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