The Confidential Email Log: What you can't see

The last few days we have been referencing a confidential email log that was sent out by the Palin administration in response to a freedom of information act that was filed by a group of Alaskans. We have now posted the document on our site.

The 78 page document, lists hundreds of emails that are off limits to the publics eyes due to the claim of executive or deliberative privilege.

This week in a legal opinion we received on this list, we were told:

An important rule regarding privilege and privilege logs: The description of the contents has to be descriptive enough so that it is readily apparent why the privilege is invoked. The person seeking the documents has to be able to make an argument, based on the description, whether the documents should be disclosed. In this case, it is clear that all they have done is taken the re line from the email. Not good enough by
any means.

As you will see going through the privilege log, the Palin administration has clearly violated this rule and the confidentiality of these emails
should be appealed.

To see the entire 78 page email privilege log:

Foia.pdf (5.7 mb)