government accountability – News, Research and Analysis – The Conversation

When government officials block access to information, the public suffers. fstop123/E+ via Getty Images

March 12, 2024

Growing secrecy limits government accountability

David Cuillier, University of Florida

After years of anecdotes, data provides a fuller picture of government agencies hiding their work from the public they ostensibly serve.

Darnella Frazier is third from right, recording the murder of George Floyd by police officer Derek Chauvin on May 25, 2020. Minneapolis Police Department via AP

April 22, 2021

The other George Floyd story: How media freedom led to conviction in his killer’s trial

Michael J. Socolow, University of Maine

The history and weight of US press freedom played a powerful, but unacknowledged, role in the conviction of Derek Chauvin for murdering George Floyd.

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

April 3, 2020

Government secrecy is growing during the coronavirus pandemic

David Cuillier, University of Arizona

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.

Seattle Times publisher Frank Blethen testifies in February at a public hearing at the Washington legislature against limiting legislative branch disclosure. AP/Ted S. Warren

May 15, 2019

Secrecy versus sunshine: Efforts to hide government records never stop

Brent Walth, University of Oregon

Government produces millions of pages of records every day: studies, reports, memos, emails, budgets and more. These reports belong to the public, but increasingly, lawmakers are trying to hide them.

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