Thursday, July 30, 2009

NY charter school told to disclose teacher names

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newsday.com%2Fny-charter-school-told-to-disclose-teacher-names-1.1338083
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Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Information Commissioner intervenes on FOI at Birmingham NHS Trust :: PublicTechnology.net

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.publictechnology.net%2Fmodules.php%3Fop%3Dmodload%26name%3DNews%26file%3Darticle%26sid%3D20871
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Info Tribunal fluffed on FOI, rules High Court * The Register

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theregister.co.uk%2F2009%2F07%2F24%2Finformation_tribunal_legal_privilege%2F
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CTV Toronto - Automakers refuse to disclose tax-funded salaries

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Ftoronto.ctv.ca%2Fservlet%2Fan%2Flocal%2FCTVNews%2F20090729%2Fautomaker_salaries_090729%2F20090729%2F%3Fhub%3DTorontoNewHome
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Openness is Anderson's message at convention : Local News : Anderson Independent-Mail

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.independentmail.com%2Fnews%2F2009%2Fjul%2F29%2Fopenness-andersons-message-convention%2F
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NYPL's Ferriero Nominated as Archivist of the United States - 7/29/2009 - Library Journal

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.libraryjournal.com%2Farticle%2FCA6673804.html
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Monday, July 27, 2009

Student Press Law Center - Calif. bill would shine light on university foundations, auxiliary organizations State universities show concern over costs

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.splc.org%2Fnewsflash.asp%3Fid%3D1937%26year%3D
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Homeless man frustrated in efforts to obtain shelter incident report | rabble.ca

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.google.com%2Fnews%2Furl%3Ffd%3DR%26sa%3DT%26url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Frabble.ca%252Fblogs%252Fbloggers%252Fjohnbon%252F2009%252F07%252Fhomeless-man-frustrated-efforts-obtain-shelter-incident-report%26usg%3DAFQjCNHTLJWOvPVWjUsAcgfx1Mex6f1MeQ
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FoI bugging the bugging watchdog? @ Foi News

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.foinews.co.uk%2F%3Fp%3D763
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More public bodies to be included within the Freedom of Information Act - Media Law Law Articles and News - Lawdit Reading Room

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lawdit.co.uk%2Freading_room%2Froom%2Fview_article.asp%3Fname%3D..%2Farticles%2F20%282%29july2009freedom%2520of%2520inform.htm
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Health planners promise to comply with FOI rules - The Connecticut Post Online

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.connpost.com%2Fci_12923890
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Sunday, July 26, 2009

Yammer in Local Government - an experiment in internal social media << Webyogi's blog

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwebyogi.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F07%2F16%2Fyammer-in-local-government-an-experiment-in-internal-social-media%2F
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Council officer gifts revealed, FOI, Torridge | This is North Devon

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thisisnorthdevon.co.uk%2Fnews%2FCouncil-officer-gifts-revealed%2Farticle-1185751-detail%2Farticle.html
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I Have Nothing >> Opposition anger over $24k FoI bill

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ihavenothing.org%2F2009%2F07%2F23%2Fopposition-anger-over-24k-foi-bill%2F
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UARB to set N.S. gas prices in fall

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbc.ca%2Fcanada%2Fnova-scotia%2Fstory%2F2009%2F07%2F23%2Fns-gas-prices-uarb.html
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CQ Politics | Open Government -- or 'Transparency Theater'?

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cqpolitics.com%2Fwmspage.cfm%3Fparm1%3D5%26docID%3Dnews-000003175686
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TheDay.com - Legislating In Secrecy Only Breeds Suspicion

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Thursday, July 23, 2009

2009-07-23 UK: New law to clean up Parliament: not fit for purpose - Transparency International

http://www.transparency.org/news_room/latest_news/press_releases_nc/2009/2009_07_23_uk_parliament
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Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Labour ministry makes a mockery of open, accountable government | Kelowna.com

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Friday, July 17, 2009

We lift the secrecy veil (Herald Sun Australia)

We lift the secrecy veil

The Herald Sun

Editorial

July 16, 2009 12:00am


THE Herald Sun Right to Know campaign has brought about an unprecedented release of information from the Rudd Government.

FULL ARTICLE

Court asked to put weight behind search for B.C. government e-mails (Globe&Mail)

Court asked to put weight behind search for B.C. government e-mails

Mark Hume

Vancouver — From Friday's Globe and Mail

Defence lawyers in a political corruption trial have asked the Supreme Court of British Columbia to order the government to produce e-mail records that were reportedly destroyed, but which may still exist.

At the same time, the New Democratic Party has written to the Attorney-General's office, "seeking the appointment of a special prosecutor to oversee an investigation into potential obstruction of justice in relation to the BC Rail corruption trial."

The developments came yesterday after George Copley, a lawyer representing the Premier's office and cabinet, filed a dozen affidavits from ministerial assistants and other officials, trying to explain why he has been unable to produce the e-mail records of Premier Gordon Campbell and others.

FULL ARTICLE

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/british-columbia/court-asked-to-put-weight-behind-search-for-bc-government-e-mails/article1221441/

UK Companies to stay outside Freedom of Information regime (Out-Law.com)

Companies to stay outside Freedom of Information regime

OUT-LAW News, 17/07/2009

Companies that carry out functions of a public nature will not have to handle Freedom of Information requests, the Ministry of Justice announced yesterday. Proposals to extend the regime to the private sector will not progress at this time.

The UK Government carried out a consultation on the extension of FOI legislation to contractors or companies which "carry out functions of a public nature" between October 2007 and February 2008. The Ministry of Justice has now published its response to that consultation.

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) responded to the consultation, arguing that designating private sector organisations as public authorities for FOI purposes would increase their costs, and these costs would be factored into existing and future contracts – thus increasing costs to public authorities and to the public.

The CBI stated in its response that "companies would find it extremely difficult to factor in FOI requests as a fixed cost when contracting with government and could set a price per request instead. This would mean contracts may engender significant additional costs where companies receive a substantial number of FOI requests."

The point was made that information in relation to a particular contract could be requested from both the contractor and the public authority, leading to a proliferation of costs and potential litigation.

The Government said that statutory obligations in relation to accounting, reporting and business ethics help to safeguard the public interest. It concluded that "no general expansion of FOI in relation to contractors is appropriate at the present time."

FULL ARTICLE

http://www.out-law.com//default.aspx?page=10182

Digital Activism Survey Report 2009

http://www.digiactive.org/wp-content/uploads/Research4_SurveyReport2009.pdf

 

Digital Activism Survey

Report 2009

 

Key Findings

Age: Of the survey's 122 respondents, 28% were between the ages of 26 and 30, with 10% above age 50

and only 2% below the age of 20. The low activism rates of these young "digital natives" may be

explained by political apathy and entertainment preferences online.

 

Gender: Outside North America, male respondents outnumbered female respondents by a margin of 7 to

3. If this gap holds true for digital activists in general, this further challenges the gender-neutral identity of

technology.

 

Geography: Geographic representation was largely consistent with global Internet access but should not

be used as representative of the true distribution of digital activists around the world.

 

Economics: Digital activists, particularly in developing countries, are much more likely than the population

at large to pay a monthly subscription fee to have Internet at home, to be able to afford a high-speed

connection, and to work in a white-collar job where Internet is also available. In short, digital activists are

likely to be prosperous.

 

Access: Intensity of use, rather than simple access, is critical as to whether or not a person is a digital

activist. This high use is only possible for people with the ability to pay for it. The Internet may be

democratizing, but its effects are felt most strongly in the global middle class.

 

Mobiles: Respondents with more features on their mobile phone - such as Internet, video, and GPS - are

more likely to use their phones for activism. This is another indicator of the importance of financial

resources for digital activists, both quantitatively, in terms of greater technology access, and qualitatively, in

terms of better (mobile) hardware.

 

Causes: Across regions, "rights" emerged as the most popular cause, with 21 different types identified by

respondents.

 

Broadcast: The plurality of respondents (37%) believe digital technology's greatest value for activism is

one-way communication. What makes social media useful for digital activism may not be its interactivity

but rather the fact that these technologies collapse the barrier to broadcast.

 

Platforms: Social networks are the most common "gateway drug" into digital activism.

 

Design: None of most popular activist tools – social networks, blogs, and email - were specifically made

for activism. It is likely a combination of their open and agnostic architecture, as well as their high user

base, that has made them popular with activists.

 

Skills: Findings on technology and advocacy skills acquisition challenge the assumption that those who

have a facility with technology are more likely to become digital activists and gives encouragement to

programs that seek to teach technology skills to traditional activists.

 

Offline: Older activists in the respondent group are most likely to use digital technology to increase the

efficiency of offline activities, such as training and evidence collection, and less likely to participate in

activities which have gained popularity because of the availability of online tools, such as posting original

content on web sites.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Transparency Camp West Aug 8-9 2009

Photos from previous transparency talks
This un-conference is about convening a trans-partisan tribe of open government advocates from all walks — government representatives, technologists, developers, NGOs, wonks and activists — to share knowledge on how to use new technologies to make our government transparent and meaningfully accessible to the public.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

The information watchdog without any teeth (UK)

The information watchdog without any teeth

This Government claims it is committed to openness. My gruelling battle to find out who lied about me shows otherwise

Martin Sixsmith
From The Times
July 14, 2009

I smile when I hear this Government insisting that it is committed to openness about its own behaviour (MPs' expenses, Iraq inquiry passim).

This is partly because I was a member of the senior Civil Service when the Freedom of Information Act was formulated in 1999 and I remember all the whispered discussions about how to circumvent it (never write anything down, don't keep minutes of sensitive meetings), and partly because I have just emerged from a gruelling battle to make use of Britain's information laws and have found the odds stacked firmly against me.

FULL ARTICLE

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Phase Three of Open Government Directive Process Generates Recommendations | OMB Watch

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ombwatch.org%2Fnode%2F10204
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Mammoth FOI Request Reveals Army of politicians is costing taxpayers £500m a year

Army of politicians is costing taxpayers £500m a year

TAXPAYERS are shelling out £500m a year for an army of 29,000 professional politicians, according to figures released yesterday.

The total was calculated by the BBC after a mammoth freedom of information (FOI) operation to collect financial and personnel details from Westminster, Brussels, local councils and the devolved administrations.


FULL ARTICLE

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2009/07/14/army-of-politicians-is-costing-taxpayers-500m-a-year-91466-24145111/


Vexatious and irresponsible questions (BBC)

Vexatious and irresponsible questions


Martin Rosenbaum | 08:17 AM, Tuesday, 14 July 2009

I know from personal experience that making freedom of information requests to public authorities is something they sometimes find irritating - but at what point does it become vexatious or irresponsible?

This question is raised by some recent rulings on what constitutes legitimate use of the Freedom of Information Act.

In a decision published last week, the information commissioner determined that the local government ombudsman was right to dismiss an FOI request as 'vexatious'. This was the 48th request in a series made to the LGO by one individual in a six-month period.

The complainant is clearly concerned about the effectiveness of local authority complaints procedures, having submitted hundreds of FOI applications on the topic to various authorities. However the commissioner found his arguments "unconvincing" and "not considered to be properly anchored in sound evidence", concluding that the "the request could fairly be considered obsessive and manifestly unreasonable" and was therefore vexatious.

Under the FOI Act, a request can be refused if it's vexatious, but this has to be an issue about the request itself, not the person making it. Just because you are a really annoying person is not sufficient grounds for turning down your freedom of information applications.

FULL ARTICLE

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/opensecrets/2009/07/vexatious_and_irresponsible_qu.html

Monday, July 13, 2009

National security laws shouldn't blanket blunders: judge

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canada.com%2Fnews%2FNational%2Bsecurity%2Blaws%2Bshouldn%2Bblanket%2Bblunders%2Bjudge%2F1782632%2Fstory.html
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Opposition slams Labor over FoI Bill delays - National News - National - General - The Canberra Times

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canberratimes.com.au%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fnational%2Fgeneral%2Fopposition-slams-labor-over-foi-bill-delays%2F1565798.aspx
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ESR | July 13, 2009 | Are taxpayers paying for MPs' moats or toothbrushes?

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Richard Taylor | 8.5 Percent of Freedom of Information Requests to Central Government Made Via WhatDoTheyKnow.com

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rtaylor.co.uk%2Ffoi-requests-to-central-government-via-whatdotheyknow.html
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Saturday, July 11, 2009

Friday, July 10, 2009

Oversight urged on aldermanic spending

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Oversight+urged+aldermanic+spending/1777274/story.html
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The Freedom of Information Act is for everybody - The Connecticut Post Online

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.connpost.com%2Fci_12787044
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Thursday, July 09, 2009

Freedom of Information reform - Nova Scotia News - TheChronicleHerald.ca

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fthechronicleherald.ca%2FOpinion%2F1131383.html
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Wednesday, July 08, 2009

City looking at privacy issues surrounding emails | WWAY NewsChannel 3 | Wilmington NC News

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wwaytv3.com%2Fnode%2F16939
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Tuesday, July 07, 2009

Heinemann signs expenses campaigner Brooke | theBookseller.com

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thebookseller.com%2Fnews%2F90474-heinemann-signs-expenses-campaigner-brooke.html
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Newspaper's FoI bid to name fugitives rejected: Holdthefrontpage.co.uk

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Officials weigh cost of transparency, with an eye on technology's role

Officials weigh cost of transparency, with an eye on technology's role

 

President Obama often refers to the clear-cut benefits of striking a healthy balance between transparency and national security, such as upholding the Constitution. More ambiguous are the financial savings derived from increased transparency.

In fact, even some open government proponents say Obama's transparency agenda may initially cost taxpayers more money. Specifically, the administration's ongoing review of classified information policy to address the problem of over-classification likely will result in some short-term overhead expenses.


FULL ARTICLE

New South Wales Government needs to release quarterly figures on energe reliability

Government needs to release quarterly figures on energey reliability


Posted 07/07/2009 at 01:00 PM by StreetCorner
NSW Business Chamber Western Sydney has called on the NSW Government to release quarterly figures on the reliability of electricity supply, following the release of FOI data today that revealed nearly 10,000 power blackouts across NSW over the past year.

"Reliable energy supply is essential to all businesses – from coffee shops and restaurants to manufacturing plants and accounting firms. A loss of supply always has a business cost", said John Pearson, NSW Business Chamber Western Sydney Regional Manager.

"Business understands that blackouts will happen due to events such as storms and accidents. However, it is well known that energy infrastructure has been run down in NSW and the energy companies are currently playing catch-up".

Mr Pearson has called on the NSW Energy Minister, Ian Macdonald, to release quarterly data providing detailed information on power reliability, and for that data to include a regional breakdown of power reliability.

"It is not good enough for the NSW Government to keep power users in the dark about the reliability data. The Premier should ensure that this information is published quarterly on the NSW Government website.


FULL ARTICLE

Scottish Government considers releasing public sector information earlier, under FOI

Scottish Government considers releasing public sector information earlier, under FOI


The the Scottish Government is asking whether information held by public authorities be made available for public viewing earlier than is currently the case.

That is the question being asked by Minister for Parliamentary Business Bruce Crawford as the Scottish Government invites views on proposals to reduce the lifespan of certain exemptions in the Freedom of Information Scotland Act (FOISA) from 30 years to 15 years.

The consultation follows the recent decision by Scottish Ministers to open Scottish Government files from the period 1979 to 1994, 15 years earlier than has previously been the case.

FULL ARTICLE

MP pulls back expense curtain

MP pulls back expense curtain
FRED THORNHILL FOR THE TORONTO STAR
Scarborough Southwest MP Michelle Simson says she learned lessons about accountability from her father and grandfather.
Liberal parliamentarian goes it alone in revealing financial secrets online
July 07, 2009

OTTAWA BUREAU

OTTAWA – Michelle Simson learned a simple lesson as assistant branch manager at a Scarborough bank: when handling other people's money, account for every penny spent.

Her grandfather had instilled a similar message of responsibility in her father, and her father passed it on to her. So it was quite a surprise when Simson arrived in Ottawa after last fall's election to find that this thinking would cast her as a renegade on Parliament Hill.

The Liberal MP for Scarborough Southwest joins a club of one this week when she becomes the first federal politician to post on her website all of the expenses that she claimed for the 2008-09 fiscal year. There is about $95,000 to set up and run an office for five months, 75 per cent of what she was entitled to use; a negligible amount to wine and dine officials and constituents; and close to the maximum of about $25,000 that MPs are granted to rent and maintain a second home in Ottawa. Disclosing the claims is the simplest of actions. It could easily have gone unnoticed in the sleepy summer months.

But in choosing to reveal how she has spent taxpayers' money since the October federal election, she is bucking a trend of secrecy that crosses party lines and is fiercely guarded. "I have been a taxpayer a lot longer than I ever have been an MP, and as a taxpayer this was a real bone of contention," she told the Star. "It in fact goes back to my father and my grandfather. It was all about accountability."

FULL ARTICLE

Monday, July 06, 2009

Expenses of London assembly members and Boris Johnson advisers go online | UK news | guardian.co.uk

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/davehillblog/2009/jul/06/boris-johnson-expenses-london-assembly-advisers
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Exercise your right to know

Exercise your right to know

Liz Tentarelli, Newbury
For the Monitor

July 06, 2009 - 12:00 am 

 

This Independence Day marked 43 years since the landmark Freedom of Information Act was signed into law - yet Americans still believe that our government is secretive.

The Freedom of Information Act established our right to access government records and to know what our government is doing - both its successes and failures. Exercising our right to know allows us to contribute to our government and hold government accountable. From food and transportation safety to the use and disposal of chemicals, Freedom of Information has enabled the public to not only ensure the health of our democracy, but also ensure our own well-being.

FULL ARTICLE

BBC prepares further expenses release amid fresh criticism

BBC prepares further expenses release amid fresh criticism

Corporation to answer freedom of information requests on lower-level managers as papers allege big claims undisclosed


Leigh Holmwood
guardian.co.uk, Monday 6 July 2009 11.56 BST
Article history

Lord Birt (John Birt)
Lord Birt: The Sunday Times says his leaving parties cost £150,000; the BBC says it was 'nowhere near'. Photograph: Murdo Macleod

The BBC is preparing to release further salary and expenses details from lower level executives after finding itself embroiled in more negative headlines this weekend about the cost of parties, pensions and taxis.

It is understood that the BBC is preparing to meet further Freedom of Information Act requests about managers outside the executive board, with one source saying those affected had spent the latter part of last week hurriedly reviewing their claims.

FULL ARTICLE

Sunday, July 05, 2009

Govt lethargy 'undermines Freedom of Information' - politics.co.uk

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.politics.co.uk%2Fnews%2Flegal-and-constitutional%2Fgovt-lethargy-undermines-freedom-of-information--%241308523.htm
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Obama Continues to Move Further Away From Promise of Transparency

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fpubrecord.org%2Fpolitics%2F985-obama-continues-to-move-further-away-from-promise-of-transparency.html
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BBC NEWS | UK | UK Politics | Secrecy rulings 'taking too long'

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Gas price formulas still in use - Nova Scotia News - TheChronicleHerald.ca

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.google.com%2Fnews%2Furl%3Ffd%3DR%26sa%3DT%26url%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fthechronicleherald.ca%2FFront%2F1130383.html%26usg%3DAFQjCNGM8g1m6RMD1tyumcALzleKXI1C9g
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Guest commentary: Public participation key to making democracy work : Guest Columns : Naples Daily News

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.naplesnews.com%2Fnews%2F2009%2Fjul%2F03%2Fguest-commentary-public-participation-key-making-d%2F
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Towns get C's, D's in openness - Local & State - News & Observer

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newsobserver.com%2Fnews%2Fstory%2F1594481.html
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Friday, July 03, 2009

Public Servant Scotland - Changes to FOI proposed

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.publicservantscotland.co.uk%2Fnews_story.asp%3Fid%3D9980
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Thursday, July 02, 2009

Expecting privacy in public places | Editorial | Halifax, Nova Scotia | THE COAST

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecoast.ca%2Fhalifax%2Fexpecting-privacy-in-public-places%2FContent%3Foid%3D1156180
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Appeal delays 'not our fault' says ICO @ Foi News

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.foinews.co.uk%2F%3Fp%3D636
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Wednesday, July 01, 2009

FDA's New Transparency Task Force: Mission And Opportunity

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.metrocorpcounsel.com%2Fcurrent.php%3FartType%3Dview%26artMonth%3DJuly%26artYear%3D2009%26EntryNo%3D9890
Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.
Envoyé sans fil par mon terminal mobile BlackBerry sur le réseau de Bell.