Posts Tagged ‘Transparency’
Court rules in favor of S.D. paper, allows access to food stamp data
A federal appeals court has ruled that Argus Leader Media can seek government data on how much businesses take in from the food stamp program, the Sioux Falls, S.D. paper reported. On Tuesday, the U.S. Court Appeals for the Eighth Circuit reversed a district court ruling and determined that a federal statute that created the food stamp program does not…
Read MoreAmid drug scandal, Toronto officials keep secret hundreds of emails
The Toronto Sun is appealing a decision by the City of Toronto to withhold hundreds of emails sent by staff members of beleaguered Mayor Rob Ford. The paper requested copies of emails sent and received by Ford’s former senior staffers around the time the mayor’s crack video scandal broke last year. From the Sun: The…
Read MoreA fight for newborn screening data across the country
By Ellen Gabler Since June, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has been fighting for important data that affects babies born in every state and the District of Columbia. Data we’ve received so far was the backbone to this investigation into delays in the nation’s newborn screening programs and other related stories. But about two dozen states…
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 MoreMaking the reporting transparent after an agency demands retraction
For the past several months, we at inewsource have been reporting on San Diego’s North County Transit District, a public transportation agency that is going through a bit of turmoil — to put it politely. The district has been aggressive in its response to our stories. It’s sent out dozens of tweets calling us “just…
Read MoreFinalists announced for Golden Padlock award
Investigative Reporters and Editors has released the list of finalists for its inaugural Golden Padlock Award honoring a U.S. government agency for its unrelenting commitment to undermining the public’s right to know. JobsOhio: Ohio Gov. John Kasich and the state legislature are nominated for creating a non-profit economic development entity exempt from public records disclosure laws, despite…
Read MoreOne week left to pre-register for IRE Conference
There’s one week left to get the early registration rate for the 2013 IRE Conference. Join us from June 20-23 in San Antonio, and you’ll find panels full of this year’s Pulitzer and IRE award winners, new tools for investigative journalism, tips for investigating on your beat and much more. Early registration ends on June…
Read MoreDraft bill would create single portal for records requests
Bloomberg reports today that two lawmakers in the U.S. House plan to release a draft bill that would create a single portal for federal records requests. According to draft legislation obtained by Bloomberg, the bill would put the burden on the fedreal government to prove why information should be withheld if requested under the Freedom of…
Read MorePublic records in Arlington County, Va., come at high price
The Arlington Gazette Packet reports that public records in Arlington come at a high price compared to neighboring areas in northern Virginia. Throughout Virginia, access to open records remains spotty. The State Integrity project, which ranks states based on their level of transparency, placed Virginia 47 and gave it a failing grade. Now, Michael Lee…
Read MoreUsing DocumentCloud, FOIA Project to track requests, responses by agency
The FOIA Project has documented more evidence of what its staff calls apparent failure of the Obama administration to fulfill transparency promises, and an upcoming expansion of the project could be a step toward establishing definitive evidence regarding the administration’s level of transparency. At the end of December, the DocumentCloud-powered venture from the Transactional…
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