First Look Media, the news organization created by Pierre Omidyar, today announced that it will provide grants totaling up to $550,000 to three organizations at the forefront of integrating freedom of the press with technology. The funding includes:
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Read More… from First Look Media will give $550,000 to support press freedoms
Open government isn't a new concept. Thanks to the proliferation of the printing press, the Age of Enlightenment blasted through Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries and brought demands for new rights: free speech, assembly, and, of course, the freedom of the press.
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Read More… from 8 videos to get you excited about open government
In 2012, we pointed out how ridiculous it was that then Homeland Security boss Janet Napolitano, who self-described herself as a Luddite, admitted that she didn’t use email at all. This seemed troubling, given that DHS was ostensibly in charge of cybersecurity, and you’d hope that the boss would understand the basics of email. Of course, she later admitted to the real reason why she didn’t use email: it created a paper-trail that would make her too accountable….
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Before heading back to Raleigh for the short session, lawmakers predicted the legislature would devote its time this year to The Three E’s – education, environment, economy.
We’d like to add another “E” to the list – employees, as in government employees.
North Carolina falls short on legislation related to workers employed by you, the public. Lawmakers could remedy the situation by passing The Government Transparency Act.
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Read More… from Editorial: Government Transparency Act: Its time has come
In 2008, Barack Obama released his “Memorandum on Transparency and Open Government,” which pledged the following:
My Administration is committed to creating an unprecedented level of openness in Government. We will work together to ensure the public trust and establish a system of transparency, public participation, and collaboration. Openness will strengthen our democracy and promote efficiency and effectiveness in Government.
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Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker opened the monthly Tribal Council meeting last week with a call for more transparency in government and strengthening of the tribe’s Freedom of Information Act, according to a tribe news release.
A Tribal Council work group will review potential changes to the law, then share its findings at the council’s Rules Committee meeting on May 28.
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Read More… from Cherokee Chief Calls For Strengthening Tribe’s FOIA
When Barack Obama was first inaugurated, he promised that his administration would “usher in an era of open government.” Instead, requests for documents under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) are increasingly being challenged or ignored by federal agencies.
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Read More… from Is the Freedom of Information Act One of Our Least Respected Laws?
Before open data, there was FOIA. Beginning in 1967, the federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) empowered the public to request access to government documents. Unfortunately, some branches of government quickly began to push back, and within the decade the infamous phrase "can neither confirm nor deny" had been devised to avoid releasing information.
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Read More… from Open source code helps governments share information with citizens
The Pentagon is refusing to comply with Freedom of Information Act requests for specific data on the volume of subcontracts awarded by any of the nation's twelve largest defense contractors participating in the 25-year-old Comprehensive Subcontracting Plan Test Program.
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Read More… from Pentagon Refusing to Release Data on Comprehensive Subcontracting Plan Test Program
One inquisitive General Services Administration employee has threatened the US agency's security by his/her rather enthusiastic pornography consumption in the workplace. According to records obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, said employee would access pornographic content and dating sites for two hours a day, resulting in a phishing attack on GSA email accounts.
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Read More… from Porn threatens network security of public institutions
