Government Secrecy

While descriptions of government secrecy abound in the scholarly and popular literature, no universally accepted definitions of government secrecy exist, although the concept of secrecy is generally understood as the intentional concealment of information by individuals and groups (Simmel, 1906; Bok, 1989). Secrecy is related to the larger concept of information control, which Tefft (1992, p. 39) considers a "social-science label which describes the process whereby secrets, private information, and the like are shared with some, but not with others ... no society do individuals treat all others with complete candor." Moreover, secrecy itselfmight better be defined as the mandatory or voluntary, but calculated, concealment of information, activities, or relationships. From the community's perspective the secrets may involve activities, plans, or relationships that are legal, illegal, or ethically neutral. (Tefft, 1980, p. 320). - Extract.