Transparency group: Reforms inconsistent

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WASHINGTON, March 10 (UPI) -- A Center for Effective Government report released Sunday said Obama administration policy reforms have been carried out inconsistently across U.S. agencies.

The report, "Delivering on Open Government: The Obama Administration's Unfinished Legacy," by the CEG in Washington, a non-profit organization that seeks to improve government transparency and accountability, shows certain federal agencies have embraced the new openness, but across-the-board implementation has been rare.

The CEG said its report reviews activity in three main government transparency areas: creating a transparency-supportive environment, improving governmental information's usability and minimizing secrecy pertaining to national security.

The CEG said when President Barack Obama took office four years ago he committed to making his administration "the most transparent in history." The White House, in Obama's first four years, revised policies and practices to strengthen many aspects of government transparency, such as using more social media, beginning new websites and providing the public with more detailed information about federal spending.

But some agencies have failed to develop detailed blueprints to embrace open government policies and others have not yet made commitments to do so.

"The Obama administration has four more years to ensure its policies are embedded in the operating practices of federal agencies and deliver meaningful, lasting results for the American people. The open government community will work to ensure their commitments are fully realized," said Katherine McFate, president of the Center for Effective Government, adding the organization furthermore urges Congress to work with the Obama Administration to codify open government reforms.