One of the most fundamental components of good government is the ability of taxpayers to hold their government accountable.

And a new law signed by President Bush this week will help do just that.

The Open Government Act of 2007 aims to improve the Freedom of Information Act by streamlining the process for information requests — making access to information on how our government functions easier to come by.

The new law contains some positive changes. First, it creates an independent ombudsman to address citizen disputes and to help build a system for tracking the status of information requests.

It also broadens the range of information than can be requested to include government contracting information. And it retools the definition of who is a journalist, making access to information easier for bloggers and others who don't neatly fit into the role of a traditional journalist.

In addition, the law requires government agencies to respond to information request within 20 days and also makes it easier for citizens and the media to recoup legal costs caused by agencies imposing improper delays. That's important, considering that these requests often get stymied by bureaucrats encouraging unnecessary delays.

To be sure, the new law is not a panacea for agencies intent on stonewalling the public's right to know. It will, however, make it all the more difficult to do so. And that, indeed, is a good thing.