Negative Information Action: Assaulting citizen choice by subverting the democratic process

This dissertation explores evidence and provides insight to secrecy-related information actions that can and are sometimes used as a method to circumvent established government policy and law. These information actions may also be used to cover up such circumventions after the fact. To better understand secrecy as a negative information action and its impact on democracy, secrecy-related information actions are described according to objectives, methods, the use of information technology and knowledge support. Negative information actions are willful and deliberate acts designed to keep government information from those in government and the public entitled to it Negative information actions are not in accordance with either the rule of law or the system of checks and balances.;Negative information actions used by government officials to violate policies and laws during the Iran-Contra Affair are identified, analyzed and categorized by type. The impact of negative information actions on enlightened citizen understanding are demonstrated using the Negative Information Action Model by assigning a location according to type on a continuum of enlightened citizen understanding. Findings are compared with democratic theory, conspiracy doctrine and conspiracy theory. Conclusions and recommendations relating the legal environment as an impediment to information flow as it relates to public accountability and the rule of law are made.