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donal brown

Japanese disaster shows limits of citizen journalism

donal brown March 14, 2011

In viewing video of the aftermath of the Japanese earthquake, MediaPost’s Erik Sass says the most valuable footage came from professional news organizations. The pros were able to use traffic helicopters to focus on the most important developments such as the advancing tsunami and fires while amateurs tended to try to film too much and ended up with little of import. -db From a commentary in MediaPost, Friday, March 11, 2011, by Erik Sass. Full

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Sunshine Week: EFF says in the era of WikiLeaks still need whistleblowers and FOIA

donal brown March 14, 2011

A staff attorney for the Electronic Frontier Foundation says that WiliLeaks dramatic release of classified government documents aside, it still crucial to government accountability for people working within government to come forth with stories of excesses and for citizens to exercise their rights under freedom of information laws. EFF’s Jennifer Lynch lists some recent cases favorable to open government and offers help and advice for those wanting information on government dealings. -db From a commentary

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Knight survey reveals Obama administration faltering in transparency initiative

donal brown March 14, 2011

The Knight Open Government Survey has revealed that a little over half of the federal agencies have made changes in their response to Freedom of Information Act requests, this after President Obama instructed agencies to “usher in anew era of open government.” Whereas in 2010 the Knight survey found that only 13 out of 90 federal agencies had improved their openness, the survey showed this year that the number had risen to 49, a significant

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California: Capristrano school board to rectify alleged open meeting violations

donal brown March 14, 2011

To forestall lawsuits alleging open meeting violations, the Capristrano Unified School District trustees will vote again on Wednesday to restore two days to the school calendar and part of the salary increase for teachers. School district watchdogs contended that a recent vote on these issues in closed session was not clearly delineated on an agenda and reported afterward. -db From the Rancho Santa Margarita Patch, March 14, 2011, by Penny Arévalo Full Story

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Federal court rules reporter not have to testify in Boston civil lawsuit

donal brown March 11, 2011

A Boston Globe reporter was absolved from testifying in a lawsuit brought by a street performer contesting the city’s limits on the space allotted to performing. A federal district judge said the reporter’s privilege under the First Amendment prevailed so he did not have to disclose information obtained through news gathering. From The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, March 9, 2011, by Kristen Rasmussen. Full Story

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