Automation has wreaked havoc with government processes here and overseas, and freedom of information laws have been key to exposing it. But with the rise of AI, our laws need modernising.
Police body cameras have the potential to make private details about people’s lives, including some of the most stressful experiences of their lives, public and easily accessible online
Digitizing archives can make information more accessible, especially during the coronavirus pandemic.
(Shutterstock)
During the coronavirus pandemic, digitizing archives can help increase access. But in addition to the labour and financial costs, issues of privacy, copyright and resources need to be considered.
The news Foxtel received a speedy funding boost as the ABC faces another round of damaging cost cuts will raise eyebrows. And questions about how we spend taxpayers’ money.
India’s coronavirus toll is rising.
Harish Tyagi/EPA
Blocking citizen requests for information on a fund set up for COVID-19 relief undermines public trust in the government’s response to the pandemic.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s administration said it would reject all freedom of information requests – and then reversed itself after public outcry.
AP/Teresa Crawford
One more casualty of the coronavirus pandemic: open government. Since the crisis began, local, state and federal officials throughout the United States have locked down information from the public.
Cyclists take over the Sydney Harbour Bridge during a Critical Mass protest event in 2000.
City of Sydney Archives: Tim Cole 'Circular Quay' Collection: 87824
In 1999, ahead of World Trade Organisation protests, a group of Australian activists created the first open internet publishing platform. This technology is the basis of the internet we know today.
An anti-corruption protest by members of the Indian National Congress Party in October 2018.
Jagadeesh Nv/ EPA
Barry Wellar, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa
As a Canadian federal election year dawns, an alternative approach to freedom-of-information legislation is an urgent need.
Leaked WhatsApp messages showed why Julie Bishop performed so poorly in the first round of voting to replace Malcolm Turnbull as leader of the Liberal party.
Mick Tsikas/AAP
There is a strong case to be made that WhatsApp messages are subject to the Freedom of Information Act in the same way as email and others forms of text messages.
Would the ABC’s publication of confidential cabinet documents would be in breach of a proposed government bill?
AAP/Joel Carrett
It’s increasingly difficult for investigative journalists to hold governments to account – partly due to anti-terror and security laws making it harder for whistleblowers to act.
The actions of the Coalition government speak louder than words in its commitment to open government.
Governments directly and indirectly control who is allowed to tell the refugees’ stories of how they are treated in offshore detention.
AAP/Eoin Blackwell
Successive Australian governments have dehumanised refugees and kept Australians in the dark about what really goes on in the offshore detention centres on Nauru and Manus Island.
How do government agencies make decisions?
Flowchart diagram via shutterstock.com
Data-driven algorithms drive decision-making in ways that touch our economic, social and civic lives. But they contain inherent biases and assumptions that are too often invisible to the public.