WASHINGTON - January 21 - After eight long years of secrecy, President Obama's actions today indicate that transparency in government was more than just a campaign promise. The Obama administration's approach to the Freedom of Information Act will allow government watchdogs and the public to obtain information about what the executive branch of government is doing and why. CREW also applauds the new ethics rules announced today. Melanie Sloan, CREW's executive director said, "The fact that Mr. Obama took these actions on his very first day in office signals a new era in government accountability."