Hernon and McClure (1993) discuss the final revision of OMB circular No. A-130, The Management of Federal Information Resources which is described as having government-wide implications as the cornerstone of US government information policy. The circular stresses the public good associated with access to government information and also articulates the relationship of the federal government to state and local governments, the public, and the private sector. Relyea (1994) discusses aspects of the administrative experience with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) over the last 30 years. He indicates that the Act has never been held in high regard or enthusiastically implemented by the Executive branch, and that much of its effectiveness can be attributed to Congress. He stresses that the FOIA has not received comprehensive congressional evaluation or examination for over a decade and that its existing procedures could benefit substantially from a reassessment and upgrade in terms of its capacity to contend with electronic formats. Relyea (1996) also discusses the acquisition and dissemination of government information and publications and the relationship between national security and information dissemination (1987).

Guthrie and Dutton (1992) discuss the politics associated with citizen access technology. A comparative study from California cities - Santa Monica, Pasadena, Glendale, and Irvine, examines the factors shaping decisions about network technology to facilitate public access to community information and dialogue. Kahin (1991) discusses the role of the Internet in providing a versatile new environment for the dissemination of government information. He indicates a new consensus that federal information should be distributed in its original form and enhanced by the private sector will be a driving force in the expansion of computer networks. Such factors will therefore blur the distinction between the dissemination of information and access to information under the Freedom of Information Act. Further, while there is opportunity for closer communication between government agencies and the public, the role of intermediaries such as the Government Printing Office and the National Technical Information Service is uncertain.

Gurbaxani et al. (1990) describes government’s role in shaping the information society in the context of Singapore’s national computer policy. He describes the high level of government involvement in shaping informatization and computerization in Singapore including a review of the political, social, and cultural environment, and the surrounding economic development and industrial policies. He describes the overall IT infrastructure and three phases of computerization: government computerization, national computerization, and the informatization of society.