The two memos and one executive order instruct government agencies to err on the side of making information public and not to look for reasons to legally withhold it, a return to more-open Clinton administration policies. The initiatives are also expected to force the government to become more Internet-savvy when responding to requests for non-classified records and information.

Spokespeople for several nonprofit organizations that support open government said they were elated.

In a telephone interview with The Standard, Marcia Hofmann, staff attorney for the Electronic Frontier Foundation, said the new directives would make it easier for people to gain access to information.

"On the whole, it's an incredibly positive development and in line with the guidelines we asked for," she said.

Meredith Fuchs, general counsel for the National Security Archive, also had high praise, stating, "We're extremely excited and impressed that President Obama has made this a day-one initiative."