The purpose of this essay is to critically review the archival investigation report to conclude what suggestions the investigation has led to, what criticism it has met, and if it is possible to identify any flaws with the investigation. I have made a text analysis of the report and the responses from referral bodies. The investigation concludes that there is need for a new and modernised archival law to follow the changes in a more digitalised society. The report also highlights the importance to include private archive institutions in the new law to protect their records for future research and as a part of our cultural heritage. There is a focus on mass digitising of analogue records from 1970 and onwards, to be able to make them available in digital form. The investigation also states that all archives should report information about their stocks to the National Archives Database. To finance the suggested changes, the investigation proposes a redistribution of funds.

The referral bodies agree that a modernised archival law is important, since the current one is over 30 years old. They concur that the private archives need protection and want all archives to be included in the new law, not just the ones that are funded by state funds. A majority criticise a mass digitisation of the older archives. They state that it is more important to implement e-archives and make solutions for long-preservation of the information that is “born digitally” today. Otherwise, there is a risk that the information will be lost for future research. The Swedish National Archives, Riksarkivet, is suggested to be given the task to improve the national archives database to make it more user-friendly and easier for governmental authorities and private archives to provide information about their stocks in a national information system. The referral bodies also agree that the funds presented in the report are not enough to implement the changes suggested.

Even though the name of the report is From Here to Eternity,” my conclusion is that investigation fails to present suggestions for long-term preservation of digitally born information and how to ensure that the information will be accessible in the future.