By T Chris

A recent investigation concludes that the Bush administration's "efforts to shield the actions of, and the information held by, the executive branch are far more extensive than has been previously documented." And while the administration's emphasis on fighting terrorism might partially explain this devotion to governmental secrecy, the report concludes that the administration's efforts extend "well beyond security issues."

A five-month investigation by U.S. News details a series of initiatives by administration officials to effectively place large amounts of information out of the reach of ordinary citizens, including data on such issues as drinking-water quality and automotive tire safety. The magazine's inquiry is based on a detailed review of government reports and regulations, of federal agency Web sites, and of legislation pressed by the White House.

The report finds that the administration is:

• withholding information about product safety, including information about auto and tire safety issues that manufacturers are mandated to report to the government;

• withholding information about public health, including water quality, toxic hazards, and transportation safety issues;

• seeking to restrict public access to civil and criminal court proceedings; and

• thwarting the ability of Congress to provide effective oversight.

A democracy operates best when the public has access to the information it needs to make informed decisions about the job performance of elected and appointed officials. The Bush administration is making a concertedly undemocratic effort to evade public scrutiny of its actions and policies.

This is an important story. Kudos to U.S. News for reporting it and to PBS for producing an episode of NOW With Bill Moyers based on the U.S. News investigation.