Los Angeles Times criticized for publishing full text of basketball star’s slur

While The New York Times called Kobe Bryant’s verbal assault on a referee a “gay slur”, the Los Angeles Times printed the slur uncensored (“f—ing faggot”). Nancy Sullivan of the Los Angeles Times explained why they printed the full text of Bryant’s slur, “Derogatory terms such as the one in the Kobe Bryant story are [...]

Government agencies erasing crucial e-mails

Government agencies are failing to maintain records of e-mails prompting concern that the agencies will not be able to fufill their mission and that the citizen’s right to hold government accountable will be seriously compromised. According to a survey conducted by the National Archives and Records Administration, among missing e-mails were thousands improperly destroyed by [...]

Pomona school board admits open meeting violation, plans remediation

The board of the Pomona Unified School District said they erred in discussing a parcel tax proposal in a closed session which led to the proposal being placed on the November ballot. -db Contra Costa Times October 9, 2010 By Monica Rodriguez POMONA, Calif. – A dispute over the Pomona Unified School District board’s alleged [...]

Schwarzenegger vetoes law to open donation records of public university auxiliaries

Putting privacy and fundraising over transparency, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed transparency for the donation records of auxiliaries of the University of California and California State University. -db Central California Business Times September 30, 2010 SACRAMENTO –– A bill that would require the various foundations and other types of auxiliaries that are closely associated with [...]

Congress removes FOIA exemption for SEC

In a move to create transparency and accountability, the House and Senate voted to repeal provision allowing the Securities and Exchange Commission to deny requests under the Freedom of Information Act. -db CNNMoney.com September 23, 2010 By Ben Rooney NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — Lawmakers moved Thursday to repeal a provision in the financial reform law [...]

Chemical security bills lack provisions for transparency

Two chemical facility security bills introduced in the U.S. senate are designed to reduce the consequences of accident or attack on chemical plants and drinking water facilities but fail to provide for accountability and transparency to ensure safety says OMB Watch. -db Chemical security bills lack provisions for transparency OMB Watch Commentary July 27, 2010 [...]

Supreme Court rules names on anti-gay petition can be made public

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled for public disclosure of names on a petition to overturn a gay rights law in Washington state. Those for disclosure say it is an important victory for the public’s right to check signatures and to discover who are supporting particular political stances. -db SeattlePI.com June 24, 2010 By Chris Grygiel [...]

Watchdog group: Lack of transparency damages ability to deal with oil spill disaster

OMB Watch, a nonprofit devoted to promoting government transparency and accountability, says that lack of information from the government and BP has hampered the public’s ability to deal with the spill. In particular, BP has not revealed the chemical makeup of the dispersants so that scientists and others can determine their possible long term consequences. -db [...]

UN sees freedom of information as crucial in promoting justice, development and democracy

In marking World Press Freedom Day, top United Nations officials condemned the killing of journalists, 77 last year, and called for countries to protect those working in the media. -db UN News Centre May 3, 2010 Marking the annual World Press Freedom Day, top United Nations officials have called for promoting the universal right to [...]

Staffing at federal agencies inadequate to deliver on Recovery Act funding

OMB Watch says a report from the groups charged with Recover Act oversight reveals that federal agencies are drastically overworked and under pressure to spend stimulus funds rapidly. The report does not touch on how the agencies are doing to make their work transparent, but OMB Watch says the problem of understaffing should be addressed [...]

California State Assembly Speaker bans texting in session

The new California Assembly Speaker has banned text messaging on the assembly floor prompting skepticism from First Amendment advocates that the ban is enforceable or efficacious. -db CivSource Commentary March 9, 2010 By Bailey McCann Last week, when John A. Perez became California’s new Assembly Speaker a point in his opening speech caught our eye [...]

White House tech officer challenges Tea Party activists to join transparency movement

The White House technology officer has challenged Republicans and Tea Party activists to a competition to establish greater transparency in government. -db The Hill February 22, 2010 By Kim Hart In an ironic twist, the White House is inviting the Tea Party movement to challenge it on government transparency. White House Chief Technology Officer Andrew [...]

Internet raises stakes in cases pitting public disclosure against right to privacy

In Doe v. Reed, the U.S. Supreme Court will weigh the right to privacy under the First Amendment’s protection of freedom of speech and association against the need for open government and transparency in public elections. -DB First Amendment Center Commentary January 19, 2010 By Tony Mauro WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Supreme Court has agreed [...]

Accountability and openness in government under attack in Texas

An editorial in the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal defends the Texas Open Meetings Act currently under attack in Texas courts and the legislature -DB Lubbock Avalanche-Journal Editorial December 11, 2009 Foes of open government are trying to turn back the clock on transparency and accountability in a two-prong attack on the Texas Open Meetings Act. They should [...]

Open government group launches new database to improve access to stimulus data

OMB Watch has released a beta version of a new data base on FedSpending.org to improve access and searchability of stimulus data. -DB OMB Watch Press Release December 3, 2009 WASHINGTON, D.C. – OMB Watch released a beta version of a new database on FedSpending.org that gives the public improved access to and searchability of [...]

Expenditures of Congressional representatives go online

For the first time, the public will be able to examine online House of Representatives records to see what their Congress men and women have been spending with the potential of greatly increasing trust and accountability. -DB Sunlight Foundation Blog November 30, 2009 By John Wonderlich The U.S. House is expected today to release the quarterly [...]

Pentagon admits ‘arrogance’, promises more openness

The Joint Chief of Staff Chairman has called for the Pentagon to exhibit greater openness, but military officials say they plan no changes in policy based on the chairman’s comments. -DB Stars and Stripes Analysis September 3, 2009 By Leo Shane III WASHINGTON, D.C. — Media critics for years have blasted the military for its heavy-handed [...]

Report finds states lag in providing tracking of stimulus spending

A Washington research firm representing 35 public interest groups has found deficiencies in the Web performances of states as they track stimulus spending. Only four states were found to provide employment data when job creation is one of the chief goals of the recovery plan. -DB NextGov July 29, 2009 By Aliya Sternstein A study released [...]

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