Transparency Watch
A look at the extent of Chinese censorship
Every day, more than 100 million items are posted to Sina Weibo, the microblogging service sometimes called “China’s Twitter”. And every day, teams of censors comb through the posts in search of anything that changes what the government likes to call a “harmonious society.” For the past five months, ProPublica has been quietly watching the…
Read MoreDept. of Veterans Affairs plans to release data delayed by secruity concerns
The Dept. of Veterans Affairs plans to release reports on first-time patients in the VA health system after not releasing data since March citing concerns for the “security arrangements for the delivery of the data,” according to their website. Previously, the VA had released four reports a year. The most recent data available is for…
Read MoreInternet Archive of TV clips on NSA revelations released
The Internet Archive has released an experimental library of television news clips covering revelations about the National Security Agency’s surveillance programs. The library allows users to search over 700 clips dating back from 2009. The library is searchable by transcripts, speakers, or date. It is currently only accessible via Chrome and Safari browsers. Clips may…
Read MoreCommittee to Protect Journalists releases report on Obama administration and the press
The Committee to Protect Journalists released a report today titled The Obama Administration and the Press, stating that “electronic surveillance programs deter government sources from speaking to journalists.” President Barack Obama pledged open government as he entered office, but his administration has fallen far short of those promises, according to CPJ. Since 2009, six government…
Read MoreA look at how journalists are handling the shutdown
Journalists have been searching for alternative resources after the government shutdown caused many online databases to go down and government offices to close as employees went on furlough. For more information about how the shutdown is affecting news coverage, see the stories below. For information on closed FOIA offices:Both the Reporters Committee for Freedom of…
Read MoreTracking what data are available and where during the government shutdown
We reported yesterday that many government agencies had shut off access to their online data services, and that the NICAR database library was a good source for finding government data during the shutdown. Poynter today has an interesting post on the challenges the shutdown has caused for data journalists. If you want more background, the…
Read MoreDaily Republic battles South Dakota school district for records about payment to ex-employee
In late 2011 or early 2012, I received a phone call that set off a nearly two-year fight over a government record. The caller, who wished to remain anonymous, had browsed the Huron School District legal announcements printed in the Classifieds section of The Daily Plainsman, a newspaper published in Huron, S.D. The tipster said…
Read MoreReport from U.S. Senate committee claims EPA lacks transparency
Minority members of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee released a report on Sept. 9, 2013 claiming that the EPA has “a dismal history of competently and timely responding to FOIA requests,” has failed to adequately train staff members on FOIA policies, has shown bias in deciding to honor fee waiver requests, and…
Read MoreMichigan agencies estimate thousands of dollars for access to records
Michigan Governor Rick Snyder’s administration had preached transparency, according to the Lansing State Journal, but is charging exorbitant amounts for access to state contract records. The Lansing State Journal sought contracts from the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget, the repository for 1,200 contracts worth $32 billion between the state and outside vendors. The…
Read MoreCivil Beat in Hawaii announces creation of new public records law center
Journalists from an online news service in Hawaii have started a public service law center to help citizen’s navigate the state’s open record laws. Honolulu-based Civil Beat reports that Hawaii has decent public information laws, but in practice state and county government fail to follow and enforce the law. Patti Epler of Civil Beat describes…
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