Open government doesn’t really lend itself to humour and it’s difficult to see the comedy material in improved public services, oversight and accountability. The best joke I’ve heard on the topic (unfortunately, UK specific) goes something like this: In the …
Freedom of information access comes at a cost. In 2011-12 financial year the estimated costs of administering the Freedom of Information Act 1991 (SA) was reported to be $10.4 million (The Hon I.K.Hunter- Hansard 16/10/14). Records indicate 85% of Freedom of …
SA Police Reduce Costs Through Proactive Open Data Read more »
The focus of transparency is almost always on government and public bodies. However, over the past ten years, often outside of the headlines, a growing collection of laws, regulations and technological innovations have gradually shone a light on the private …
It was the best of FoI requests, it was the worst of FoI requests. While some data holders are wise, others are foolish. Some strengthen our belief in the promise of open data, while others leave us…
Authors: Albert Meijer, Paul ’t Hart, and Ben Worthy Abstract How can we evaluate government transparency arrangements? While the complexity and contextuality of the values at stake defy straightforward measurement, this article provides an interpretative framework to guide and structure …
Assessing Government Transparency: An Interpretive Framework Read more »
Silvana Fumega, PhD researcher and independent consultant, writes on the relationship between the Freedom of Information (FOI) and the Open Government Data (OGD) communities as part of our second phase of Open Data in Developing Countries research. Download the full …
In March of this year we announced a grant award to Tumenye Digital Ltd to help them continue work on their Sobanukirwa site which enables Rwandan citizens to make freedom of information requests. A quick update from the team is below: …
Sobanukirwa – Rwandan Freedom of Information Site – update Read more »
In 2010, the Government began pushing for local authorities in England to release information on public spending over a certain threshold – in this case £500. Ben Worthy argues that although reform is needed to maximise the potential of this …
Tom Nash, journalist and FOIA agitator The city of Richmond, Va., recently unveiled an open data portal that gives people access to important data that had long languished in dark corners of its website. Everything from crime data to property …
OpenGov Voices: Richmond’s new open data portal a good start, but more work needed Read more »
The Independent Commission on Freedom of Information was announced exactly one month ago yesterday, but no more information has been given out about its work. Fortunately, now that 20 working days have passed, some information about the review might start …
Cabinet Office refuses to provide more details about FOI Commission Read more »