Johan Lidberg

The International Freedom of Information Index

The Promise and Practice of FOI laws

• Broschiertes Buch

Produktbeschreibung

Most Freedom of Information (FOI) Laws make
extensive promises about public access to government-
held information. Giving the citizens (including
journalists) access to quality, un-spun information
is a way to hold politicians and public servants
accountable. Well functioning FOI systems are safe
guards against corruption and mal-administration.

Unfortunately, for the public, FOI promises are easy
to make, but hard to deliver in practice.

This book describes a pilot project comparing the
FOI regimes in Australia, the US, South Africa,
Thailand and Sweden. The study lays the foundation
for the first International FOI Index.

The functionality of Freedom of Information is
important because it indicates how serious a country
is about transparency and accountability two
important properties of mature democracies.

To be governed can be a painful experience
especially when the politicians you have elected do
not deliver on their promises. Providing proper
access to information about the government is part
of a healthy democracy. After all, governments
hold the information on behalf of the public
don t they?

Produktdetails

• Verlag: VDM Verlag Dr. Müller
• Seitenzahl: 112
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 220mm
• ISBN-13: 9783639120349
• ISBN-10: 3639120345
• Artikelnr.: 26443750

Autorenporträt

Johan Lidberg, Phd, MA, BA, is Senior Lecturer and Chair of the Journalism Program at Murdoch University in Perth, Western Australia. Dr Lidberg''s research area is Freedom of Information and his projects have laid the foundation for the International FOI Index. He has worked in print and broadcast journalism since 1989.