It is well under the radar, but another important open government case may be making its way to the U.S. Supreme Court.
If the justices of the Court decide to take it, the case will center on whether records that were indisputably public during court proceedings can be withheld under a tortured interpretation of an investigative and privacy exemption once the court matters are over.
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From OMB Watch's new executive director, Katherine McFate:
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from The Detroit News:
A University of Michigan professor allegedly targeted in a smear campaign by President George W. Bush's administration sued the CIA and FBI [Wednesday].
U-M Professor Juan Cole, a prominent Middle East expert and critic of the Iraq war, sued to force the agencies to turn over any documents relating to him, according to a lawsuit filed in federal court in Detroit.
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Read More… from U-M professor sues CIA, FBI for information in alleged smear campaign
A new audit by OpenTheGovernment.org suggests that eight out of ten federal agencies have taken at least some steps since Sunshine Week to make readily available information about their staffs, legislative agendas and reports to Congress reports-—documents and information to which there is no dispute that the public is entitled.
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Read More… from Administration underwhelming in fulfilling agency openness promise
From the Idaho Reporter:
One national group that urges people to “follow the money” when it comes to state politics says Idaho’s sunshine law for lobbyists leaves out some key information that other states require, including lobbyists’ take-home pay from groups and companies that hire them.
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Read More… from Watchdog group says Idaho should have stricter lobbyist reporting
A Native American newspaper in a remote area of northern California has learned the hard way that First Amendment’s safeguards do not necessarily apply on a tribal reservation.
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Read More… from Tribal Council orders Native American newspaper to cease publication
The Israeli Parliament recently passed legislation to bar public calls for a boycott against Israel or its West Bank settlements, according to the New York Times. The law’s supporters said it was necessary to push back against what they described as a strategy to delegitimize Israel in the eyes of the world.
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The state of Vermont has taken a big step in the direction of more open government by amending its FOI law to allow for awards of attorney's fees to successful requesters. Why does this matter? Recalcitrant government agencies generally are not at risk for penalties for improperly withholding records. (Indeed, one can argue that they actually have disincentives to disclose, but that's another matter.) Few requesters, having been denied records, have the motivation and financial resources to hire a lawyer and file suit.
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Read More… from Vermont gets serious about enforcing its FOI law
