Seeing No Evil

Abstract

Eric Ketelaar (1998) has argued that primary duty of archivists is maintain integrity of archives. This principle is included in mission statement of National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), which reads in part: [NARA] serves American democracy by safeguarding and preserving records of our Government, ensuring that people can discover, use, and learn from this documentary heritage. We ensure continuing access essential documentation of rights of American citizens and actions of their government. The Society of American Archivists (SAA), in accordance with its status as largest archival professional association in U.S., declares that its mission is to provide leadership ensure identification, preservation, and use of records of historical value.Some commentators believe that SAA has turned a corner and in recent years has taken more of a leadership role in speaking out on matters of import archival profession (Montgomery, 2009a). However, two recent controversies involving NARA suggest otherwise, indeed, suggest that SAA lacks will take any role whatsoever in matters involving archival ethics and professional standards of practice. In 2006, an independent researcher brought light that NARA had entered into secret agreements with several government agencies pull and reclassify publicly available records from its open shelves; agreements stipulated that NARA would hide reclassification program from public. In 2008, another independent researcher made public his unsuccessful attempts access NARA's own records, those of Office of Presidential Libraries. He documented a course of improper handling of records, unprofessional responses his requests for information, and inappropriate withholding of these records.SAA's failures take a leadership stance with respect these situations were compounded and enabled by majority of individual archivists who chose remain uninformed, and silent, about issues raised that were of critical importance their profession. Howard Zinn commented on this phenomenon thirty years ago, arguing that is a powerful form of social (Zinn, 1977). He described professionalism as the almost total immersion in one's craft, being so absorbed in day-to-day exercise of those skills, as have little time, energy or will consider what part those skills play in total social scheme (Zinn, 1977). He defined social control as maintaining things as they are, preserving traditional arrangements, preventing any sharp change in how society distributes wealth and power (Zinn, 1977). Zinn's conception of professionalism as social control is played out in failures of archivists speak up and take action when confronted with activities antithetical foundational principles of their profession.The Reclassification ScandalBackgroundIn 1995, President Clinton signed Executive Order (E.O.) 12958, requiring government agencies declassify all of their historical records that were 25 years old or older by end of 1999. The E.O. provided exemptions for certain categories of records, such as those relating intelligence sources and methods. A few agencies, notably State Department and Department of Energy (DOE), acted quickly comply with E.O.'s comprehensive mandate, making significant headway in declassifying many of their older records (Aid, 2006). By 1999, however, tide had turned in Clinton administration's approach security classification issues. DOE officials became concerned that implementation of E.O. had resulted in release of classified data on nuclear weapons by other agencies; Defense Department and intelligence community agencies were also resisting mandatory declassification requirements of E.O. (Aftergood, 2005).Beginning in late 1990s, these agencies, concerned that sensitive information may have been improperly declassified under provisions of E. …