Articles in the Open Government Journal on developments in Ireland, Bangladesh, Canada and Minnesota, and a request to support the magazine. Also, the International Press Institute issues a report on disclosure issues for journalists who cover international financial institutions.
Journalists Face Difficulties, IPI Says
Journalists face serious challenges trying to access information on corruption in development aid at the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the United Nations Development Program, according to a report by Kristina Billan for the International Press Institute.
Open Government Journal Seeks Help
The 10th Issue for Open Government Journal comes with a plea for financial assistance because a grant from Open Society Institute is running out.
“I send a call to invite you to donate by simply clicking the “DONATE” button on the OGJ website,” writes editor Marc-Aurèle Racicot.
The articles in the current issue analyze the state of FOI in different parts of the world.
Meave McDonagh, an authority on FOI laws in Ireland, authored a study that explores the attitudes of Irish local government FOI decision makers towards the operation of access to information legislation, in particular the Irish Freedom of Information Act.
“The Information War: Rebuilding Canada’s Access to Information Act After Afghanistan,” authored by Mathew Brett, offers a preliminary analysis of the Canadian Access to Information Act in a post-September 11th security environment.
An article written by Patrick Schmidt, Zac Farber, Hannah Johnson and Robert Woo explores the Minnesota Data Practices Act, the state’s FOI law, because it represents an alternative to the way that FOI laws are almost universally designed. This study draws on a series of interviews with journalists, looking at the pressure points and weaknesses of this alternative model.
Mohammed Hasan Murad, discusses two important strategies for improving transparency and accountability in Bangladesh. The author also identifies the difficulties and challenges in implementing right to information and e-Governance in Bangladesh.
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