Posts Tagged ‘FOI Notes’
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22 April 2011
FOI Notes: Libraries, Research, Open Data
Research: U.S. academic and blogger Michael Zimmer draws attention in a post to a recent paper by University of Arizona journalism professor David Cuillier advocating a more active role for libraries in gathering and disseminating public information. To create “freedom of information gazebos,” Cuillier suggests that libraries start filing freedom of information requests and litigating […]
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15 April 2011
FOI Notes: History, Media Role, WikiLeaks, Whistleblowing
History: An article in Journal of Democracy by Brazil-based Greg Michener explores the origins of FOI laws (or not) in Mexico, Argentina, Bulgaria and India. He concludes that it takes “extraordinary conditions” to pass FOI laws. “The presence of absence of basic political preconditions, such as propitious legislative dynamics and a pubic-spirited news media, can help […]
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1 April 2011
FOI Notes: Two New FOIA Websites Begun in U.S.
United States: A new website developed by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC) will provide details about every new court challenge to the withholding of information by the Obama administration. The site, supported with a grant from the CS Fund/Warsh-Mott Legacy, is updated daily with the latest court FOIA filings and provides extensive information about […]
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25 March 2011
FOI Notes: India, U.S., Africa, Open Data
India: CUTS International announced an RTI Toolkit. The toolkit is entitled “Model Framework for Replication: Usages of RTI in Rural Rajasthan, India: Enhancing Transparency and Reforming the Processes.” It explores the need of reforming the service delivery and decision-making processes in three selected national flagship schemes implemented by the Rural Development Department, Government of Rajasthan. […]
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25 February 2011
FOI Notes: EU Online Public Services, US Reports, New Journal
European Union: A new report says the average availability of online public services in the EU went up from 69% to 82% from 2009 to 2010. Declaration: Activists gathered at the World Social Forum’s Assembly on the Right to Communication issued the following declaration Feb. 11, 2011. United States: The Aspen Institute Communications and Society […]
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11 February 2011
FOI Notes: EU Law, Conferences
EU: A paper prepared by Mario Savino, of Tuscia University of Viterbo (Italy), addresses the topic, “The Right to Open Public Administrations in Europe: Emerging Legal Standards.” It is published by Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. The paper examines the regulations on access to information where they exist and how transparency policies are implemented […]
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4 February 2011
FOI NOTES: WikiLeaks and FOI, Open Data
WikiLeaks: Am informative report on a panel discussion on “Freedom of Information in the WikiLeaks Era” is available on Inforrms Blog. Julian Assange’s lawyer Mark Stephens participated. The panel, chaired by legal commentator Joshua Rozenberg and also including David Banisar (Article 19), Chris Bradshaw (Ministry of Justice), Andrew Murray (LSE), and James Leaton Gray (BBC) […]
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14 January 2011
FOI Notes: EU Case Summary, US FOI Day
European Union: New Statewatch Analysis: Case Law Summary: EU access to documents Regulation (142 pages, small pdf). Prepared by Steve Peers, Professor of Law, University of Essex. United States: Transparency groups announce plans for Freedom of Information Day March 16 in Washington, D.C.
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5 August 2010
FOI Notes: New Research, New FOIANet Leaders
The World Bank Institute has issued three working papers on Freedom of Information topics. Proactive Transparency: The future of the right to information? A review of standards, challenges, and opportunities, by Helen Darbishire, Access Info Europe This paper on “proactive disclosure” of information (disclosure of information by public bodies without request by the public) highlights its […]