#government-transparency

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fromElectronic Frontier Foundation
1 hour ago

The Foilies 2026

The students are learning that the federal government and every state have laws establishing the public's right to request and receive public records. It's a bedrock principle of democracy: If a government belongs to the people, so do its documents.
US news
US news
fromThe Washington Post
1 day ago

Did Trump cuts slow access to public records? We found 26 cases that say yes.

Federal workforce reductions have severely impaired agencies' ability to comply with Freedom of Information Act requests, with at least 13 agencies citing staffing cuts as reasons for missing FOIA deadlines in court.
#freedom-of-information
fromwww.cbc.ca
2 days ago
Canada news

Premier, cabinet ministers' records could become secret in new FOI, cybersecurity bill | CBC News

Canada news
fromwww.cbc.ca
2 days ago

Premier, cabinet ministers' records could become secret in new FOI, cybersecurity bill | CBC News

Ontario is modifying freedom of information laws to keep Premier Doug Ford and cabinet records secret while citing cybersecurity and privacy protection needs.
UK politics
fromwww.independent.co.uk
2 days ago

It's too late don't delete anything': Inside a government inquiry

The Independent provides free, accessible journalism across major issues including reproductive rights, climate change, and tech accountability, funded by reader donations rather than paywalls.
#pentagon-press-restrictions
fromQueerty
3 days ago
US politics

Insiders claim "Unflattering" photos of Pete 'Petty' Hegseth prompt Pentagon to take action - Queerty

fromQueerty
3 days ago
US politics

Insiders claim "Unflattering" photos of Pete 'Petty' Hegseth prompt Pentagon to take action - Queerty

UK politics
fromwww.theguardian.com
3 days ago

No 10 rejects claims it covered up Starmer's role in Mandelson appointment

Downing Street denies covering up Keir Starmer's role in appointing Peter Mandelson as US ambassador, stating normal procedures were followed despite blank approval boxes in official documents.
#lord-mandelson
UK politics
fromwww.bbc.com
3 days ago

Chris Mason: Some nuggets but no huge revelations in first batch of Mandelson files

Released documents about Lord Peter Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador reveal disputes over his Epstein connections but lack conclusive evidence, with key correspondence withheld pending police investigation.
fromwww.bbc.com
4 days ago
UK politics

First Mandelson files expected to be published on Wednesday

The UK government will release internal documents about Lord Mandelson's US ambassador appointment following parliamentary pressure, with the first batch published Wednesday alongside a Commons statement.
UK politics
fromwww.bbc.com
3 days ago

Chris Mason: Some nuggets but no huge revelations in first batch of Mandelson files

Released documents about Lord Peter Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador reveal disputes over his Epstein connections but lack conclusive evidence, with key correspondence withheld pending police investigation.
UK politics
fromwww.bbc.com
4 days ago

First Mandelson files expected to be published on Wednesday

The UK government will release internal documents about Lord Mandelson's US ambassador appointment following parliamentary pressure, with the first batch published Wednesday alongside a Commons statement.
NYC politics
fromNBC New York
4 days ago

Mamdani pledged a 'culture of transparency.' But he's not ready to hand over these gov't records.

Mayor Mamdani promised transparency and accountability but delayed releasing AI program records, citing FOIL request backlogs similar to his predecessor's approach.
fromPoynter
4 days ago

An Indiana public records fight went to court. The journalists (and the public) won. - Poynter

Public records allow citizens and journalists to hold those in power accountable to us, the people of Indiana. We can see how our government is spending money, who benefits and who is adversely impacted. Kelly pursued the records on executions so her readership could more clearly see what executions were costing the state.
Law
#peter-mandelson
UK politics
fromwww.theguardian.com
4 days ago

Mandelson documents to be released after PMQs UK politics live

The UK government will release hundreds of documents about Peter Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador, though only a fraction of what Parliament demanded, with questions remaining about his vetting and Epstein connections.
Portland
fromPortland Mercury
5 days ago

Good Morning, News: Weird City Hall Power Dynamics EXPOSED, Elephants Delicatessen Caught Fire, and the Trump Administration Doesn't Know What It's Doing in Iran (or Anywhere, for That Matter)

Public records reveal that Northwest Oregon Labor Council executive Laurie Wimmer wields significant behind-the-scenes influence over Portland City Hall politics despite not being a registered lobbyist.
OMG science
fromWIRED
6 days ago

Don't Expect Big Surprises in the Government's Alien Files

Government UAP file releases likely won't satisfy public skepticism due to deep distrust, and historical precedent suggests files will contain unexplained sightings with no evidence of extraterrestrial origin.
Brooklyn
fromwww.amny.com
6 days ago

Staten Island residents, electeds decry proposed homeless shelter location: Wildly inappropriate

Staten Island officials and residents oppose a planned 160-bed homeless shelter for men on the South Shore, citing poor location, lack of transparency, and inadequate community engagement by city officials.
Public health
fromFortune
1 week ago

Trump's former Surgeon General: voters widely support vaccine access and want Washington to focus elsewhere | Fortune

Federal vaccine policy changes lack scientific transparency, causing measles outbreaks and contradictory health guidance that undermines public confidence and vaccination rates.
US politics
fromFlowingData
1 week ago

Database to explore conflicts of interest through financial disclosures

ProPublica created a searchable database of financial disclosure documents from the president and 1,573 executive branch appointees, revealing their assets, outside positions, and compensation.
SF politics
from48 hills
1 week ago

How close are Lurie and SFPD to ICE? - 48 hills

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie has been cooperating with federal immigration authorities despite local laws prohibiting such collaboration, according to statements by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
US politics
fromThe New Yorker
1 week ago

The No-Explanation War

The Trump Administration bypasses traditional justification for military action, exploiting a media environment where unexplained decisions face minimal accountability or scrutiny.
US politics
fromThe Atlantic
1 week ago

Pete Hegseth Treats Fallen American Soldiers as a PR Problem

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth uses military casualties for personal grievances against the press rather than providing transparent communication about U.S. war objectives and losses to the American public.
Miscellaneous
fromenglish.elpais.com
1 week ago

In Chile, Boric and Kast's relationship collapses just one week before the handover of power

Chile's incoming far-right president Jose Antonio Kast suspended the transition process with outgoing left-wing president Gabriel Boric over disputes regarding a Chinese submarine cable project and alleged lack of transparency about U.S. sanctions.
fromNieman Lab
1 week ago

AI-powered search is fueling a wave of Epstein Files transparency projects

They're trying to get as many eyes on [the Epstein Files] and as much public awareness, knowledge, and understanding of this as possible. They built something that the public can use directly, rather than having it be intermediated by journalists, basically having it be in a format that so many people use in their everyday life.
US politics
fromBoston.com
1 week ago

'Forced to take this pay raise': Quincy City Councilors are collecting the raise they promised to repeal

The previous council voted the raises into law without a single public hearing and without reviewing the salaries of any similar elected positions. This process or lack thereof, eroded the public trust and inspired several of us here to run for office.
Fundraising
#epstein-investigation
US politics
fromwww.theguardian.com
1 week ago

Howard Lutnick agrees to appear before US House panel on Epstein network

Howard Lutnick, Trump's commerce secretary, voluntarily agreed to testify before the House oversight committee investigating Jeffrey Epstein's criminal network after acknowledging a 2012 island visit that contradicted his earlier claims about ending contact with Epstein in 2005.
World news
fromwww.theguardian.com
1 week ago

Trump administration has still not settled on reasons for going to war with Iran

The Trump administration's claims of an imminent Iranian threat were contradicted within hours when Secretary of State Rubio revealed Israel was planning to strike first, exposing that the military action was driven by Israeli interests rather than direct US security threats.
fromThe Oaklandside
1 week ago

Oaklandside's Ashley McBride, Callie Rhoades receive First Amendment award

This year's winners truly embody the best of journalism and free expression. Their courage and tenacity uncovered critical stories that demanded to be told. Last year saw relentless attacks on journalists and the media from our government and others, but these winners show good reason for optimism about the future of free expression and a free press.
East Bay (California)
New York City
fromNew York Post
1 week ago

Exclusive | Mamdani admin admits 7 other New Yorkers died indoors from cold - as grim tally reaches 29

New York City's administration confirmed 29 cold-related deaths during a January-February cold snap, with 14 occurring indoors and 15 outdoors from hypothermia, after initially withholding complete information from the public.
US politics
fromGothamist
1 week ago

Lawmakers call on Columbia, NYPD to release video footage in ICE arrest of student

Local lawmakers demand video evidence from Columbia University and NYPD regarding an ICE arrest of a student in her off-campus Manhattan apartment.
Environment
fromwww.theguardian.com
1 week ago

UK slashes climate aid programmes for developing countries

UK climate and nature protection programmes in developing countries face severe budget cuts despite government commitments to international climate finance obligations.
California
fromwww.mercurynews.com
2 weeks ago

Unveiling of key art project in Redwood City goes forward

A community piano painted by artist Christine Ong-Dijcks debuts March 11 in Redwood City as part of a public art campaign celebrating local culture and nature.
fromRaw Story
2 weeks ago

Massive trove of FBI 'Epstein investigation' data compromised in 'cyber intrusion': report

We noticed strange IP activity that took place yesterday from two IP addresses. The activity included combing through certain files pertaining to the Epstein investigation.
Information security
US politics
fromwww.theguardian.com
2 weeks ago

Epstein files contain explicit but unsubstantiated claim that Trump abused minor

FBI memos from 2019 contain unsubstantiated allegations that Donald Trump sexually abused a minor in the early 1980s with Jeffrey Epstein's assistance, but were not released in the Department of Justice's public Epstein file upload.
UK politics
fromwww.independent.co.uk
2 weeks ago

Starmer will have no say on which Mandelson papers are released

Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee retains final authority over releasing documents regarding Lord Peter Mandelson's ambassador appointment vetting process, including details about his Epstein connections.
US politics
fromwww.mediaite.com
2 weeks ago

Hillary Clinton Accuses GOP of Distracting From Trump Allegations in Explosive Opening Statement on Epstein

Hillary Clinton testified before the House Oversight Committee, denied ties to Jeffrey Epstein, and criticized Republicans for conducting an inadequate investigation lacking transparency and proper witness testimony.
US politics
fromemptywheel
2 weeks ago

How Todd Blanche Gave Ghislaine Maxwell Blackmail over Donald Trump - emptywheel

The FBI withheld three of four interview reports from a 2019 investigation into abuse allegations against Trump, which mainstream media pressure forced DOJ to review for potential improper concealment.
Cryptocurrency
fromThe Atlantic
2 weeks ago

This Looks Like an Insider Bet on Aliens

Large bets on a prediction market suggest traders believe the Trump administration may announce alien life discovery by year-end, potentially indicating inside knowledge or speculation following Obama's alien comments.
UK politics
fromwww.bbc.com
2 weeks ago

Chris Mason: MPs take a new tone on Andrew but how big is their appetite for radical changes?

A government minister publicly criticized Prince Andrew as rude, arrogant, and entitled, reflecting the near-total collapse of respect for him following his removal from royal duties and titles.
fromPadailypost
2 weeks ago

Ex-superintendent to get over $500K from district

The Palo Alto Unified School District will pay former Superintendent Don Austin $596,802 in exchange for his resignation, according to a settlement agreement obtained by the Post today (Feb. 24). The payments add up to 17 months of his salary. This includes his $35,106 monthly paycheck through June 30, a $331,272 payment on Aug. 1, and a $90,000 payment on Jan. 15.
Education
US politics
fromwww.mediaite.com
2 weeks ago

Erin Burnett Shocked When Ro Khanna Says Only Half the Epstein Docs Released

Rep. Khanna claims only half of Epstein-related files have been released publicly, with Democrats alleging the DOJ withheld sexual assault allegations against Trump.
fromwww.mercurynews.com
4 weeks ago

Campbell hosts CERT Academy winter training

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Academy winter training session begins Feb. 24. This hands-on program teaches community members essential disaster preparedness skills, including fire safety, first aid, search and rescue and emergency response tactics. The CERT Academy includes three in-person evening sessions, one online evening session and one final in-person daytime skills exercise. All in-person sessions will be held at the Campbell Community Center, 1 W. Campbell Ave. To register, visit https://bit.ly/4tsjWNX
California
fromLondon Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com
1 month ago

Starmer's position is 'clearly untenable' putting Tories on 'an election footing' - London Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com

Badenoch said that Labour Cabinet members are "terrified of losing their own jobs" as it is "only a matter of time" when Starmer will be gone. Badenoch told Sky News, "I think that all that's happened is his MPs have given him a stay of execution because they are terrified of losing their own jobs. His party leader in Scotland, who doesn't rely on Keir Starmer for his job, said the quiet bit out loud that the prime minister should resign.
UK politics
US politics
fromThe Atlantic
1 month ago

The Trump Administration's War on Data

The CIA World Factbook website has been shut down, removing a longstanding public global-data resource and reflecting an administration effort to curtail publicly available information.
fromwww.amny.com
1 month ago

Shameful' secrets: City Council leaders, firefighters demand to know why City Hall hid post-9/11 air quality reports for 25 years | amNewYork

The demand comes after attorneys unearthed a memo this week revealing that the city had been preparing for lawsuits related to air quality effects in the weeks following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The memo, obtained by amNewYork, was uncovered by attorneys who have long been pushing the city to release documents related to post-9/11 air quality, some of whom were at Thursday's press conference, where Brewer and Menin made their demands.
New York City
UK politics
fromwww.theguardian.com
1 month ago

Calls to halt UK Palantir contracts grow amid lack of transparency' over deals

Calls increase to halt UK public contracts with Palantir over transparency, privacy, and controversial ties as its AI expands into policing and NHS data.
#no-bid-contracts
California
fromThe Oaklandside
1 month ago

Oakland's fire department has a secret weapon - a candid spokesperson

Some public information officers obstruct access by stonewalling, while others prioritize transparency and prompt communication to serve the public and support journalism.
US politics
fromNextgov.com
1 month ago

US withdraws from the Open Government Partnership - which it helped create

The United States withdrew from the Open Government Partnership, citing concerns about ideological agendas and threats to national sovereignty.
World news
fromRadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty
1 month ago

Iran Publishes Protest Death List, But Rights Groups Say Toll Is Far Higher

Iran published names and national IDs of 2,985 people killed in protests, prompting debate over transparency versus alleged downplaying of a larger casualty toll.
Food & drink
fromThe Mercury News
1 month ago

Nonprofit serves 10,000 free meals to community college students

A Milpitas nonprofit served 10,000 free meals to Bay Area community college students and aims to scale to one million meals annually by 2030.
Brooklyn
fromBrooklyn Eagle
1 month ago

PREMIUM Repeated government lying, warned Hannah Arendt, makes it impossible for citizens to think and to judge

Repeated official contradictions and withheld evidence erode public trust, turning factual claims into instruments of power and damaging democratic legitimacy.
fromThe Mercury News
1 month ago

After secret investigation, Oakley cuts off councilman's City Hall access

OAKLEY - An elected city councilman here has been effectively cut off from City Hall - barred from contacting the city manager or staff, stripped of access to his government email and routed through the city attorney for nearly all official business - following an investigation whose most critical findings the city has not made public. The extraordinary restrictions on Councilman George Fuller, which carry no expiration date and could last until his term ends in 2028, have alarmed civil liberties advocates
California
East Bay (California)
fromThe Oaklandside
1 month ago

Progress and peril on Oakland roads...on the podcast

Oakland's roads are in crisis: 871 stretches have zero remaining life; incremental progress includes bond funding, bollards reducing pedestrian deaths, and incoming speed cameras.
fromwww.mercurynews.com
1 month ago

Who has Newsom's ear as he weighs a White House run?

Gov. Gavin Newsom had a scheduled call with Mark Lashier, the chief executive of Phillips 66 months after the oil giant announced it would shut down a major Los Angeles refinery following the governor's signing of new regulations on oil and gas facilities as he pushed to end California's reliance on fossil fuels. Within days, Newsom's administration pivoted. State officials unveiled a plan to boost oil drilling and imports in California and put on hold a refinery profit cap the governor had previously championed.
California
fromAxios
2 months ago

Bari Weiss plans overhaul of CBS News and "60 Minutes" standards and procedures

Our story was screened five times and cleared by both CBS attorneys and Standards and Practices. It is factually correct. In my view, pulling it now-after every rigorous internal check has been met is not an editorial decision, it is a political one.
US politics
#press-freedom
fromwww.theguardian.com
2 months ago

Journalists condemn surprise shake-up of No 10 lobby briefings

No 10 normally holds two briefings on most days that parliament sits to allow the lobby political journalists that cover Westminster to question the prime minister's official spokesperson. But in an email on Thursday, Tim Allan, Downing Street's executive director of communications, said there would be no afternoon briefings from next month. He said No 10 would instead hold occasional afternoon press conferences with ministers, as well as technical briefings with officials.
UK politics
#jeffrey-epstein
Portland
fromPortland Mercury
3 months ago

Former Housing Director Says She Was Told Not to Disclose Millions in Unspent Funds

Former Portland Housing Bureau director claims she was ousted for advancing social housing policy and unfairly blamed for revenue unspent before her tenure.
Law
fromTheregister
3 months ago

Lawsuit probes federal role in ICE-tracking app takedowns

EFF sues DoJ and DHS to obtain records about government communications that led to removal of ICE-tracking apps and websites, alleging possible unconstitutional coercion.
US politics
fromThe Atlantic
3 months ago

A Wild 48 Hours in the Epstein Saga

President Trump endorsed a bill to release Jeffrey Epstein files but refuses to release them himself, prompting criticism and contradictory explanations.
California
fromwww.ocregister.com
3 months ago

Isn't that special (district)? Quiet mini California governments hold your billions

California special districts hold massive cash and investments, growing dramatically to $73.2B in 2024, far outpacing inflation and prompting transparency concerns.
#public-records
fromSun Sentinel
4 months ago

Florida attorney general goes to bat against transparency in Trump library case

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier is leading the charge to defend Miami Dade College in higher court from allegations it violated the state's Sunshine Law, raising the stakes in a case involving Donald Trump's presidential library that could have sweeping implications for the future of government transparency.
US politics
fromPadailypost
5 months ago

Opinion: Reject Measure A, the new Santa Clara County sales tax increase

Santa Clara County residents should vote "no" on Measure A, the 5/8ths-of-a-cent sales tax for a variety of reasons. First, this tax was conceived behind closed doors with no public discussion about whether it's needed. The tax was rolled out two days before the Board of Supervisors voted to put it on the ballot, which isn't enough time to let the public digest the pros and cons of the measure.
US politics
#police-radio-encryption
US politics
fromBoston.com
4 months ago

Boston City Council at-large race: Julia Mejia

Housing affordability and displacement require stronger developer accountability, tenant protections (including rent control), homeownership pathways, and greater government transparency and resident access to decision-making.
History
fromThe Atlantic
4 months ago

Trump's White House Demolition Threatens the American Idea

Sudden demolition of the White House East Wing without public notice undermines democratic transparency by altering a public symbol without public process.
Media industry
fromNieman Lab
4 months ago

Rebuilding the research desk in local newsrooms

MuckRock merged with Sunlight Research Center to expand hands-on research support for local newsrooms and strengthen investigative coverage of local government.
New York City
fromCity Limits
4 months ago

Opinion: Fixing Flaws in New York's Freedom of Information Law

New York City agencies excessively delay FOIL requests, blocking public access to records about surveillance technologies and limiting government accountability.
East Bay (California)
fromThe Oaklandside
4 months ago

Oakland officials have flagrantly violated transparency law

Oakland elected officials frequently violate the California Public Records Act by delaying, incompletely responding to, or ignoring public records requests, undermining transparency and trust.
UK politics
fromwww.bbc.com
4 months ago

What more do we know about the collapsed China spy case?

Release of witness statements about the collapsed China spying case pressures the government and may not resolve accusations about withholding or limiting evidence.
UK politics
fromwww.theguardian.com
4 months ago

Pressure on Downing Street to release evidence in collapsed China spy case

Downing Street faces pressure to publish the Collins witness statement after the CPS said the decision to release prosecution material lies with the government.
UK politics
fromwww.bbc.com
4 months ago

Labour under pressure to release China spy case evidence

Conservatives and Liberal Democrats demand publication of government evidence from collapsed espionage case after CPS said material is for the government to decide.
US politics
fromNextgov.com
5 months ago

Nonprofit sues 4 agencies for details on AI use in enacting Trump policy

Democracy Forward sued four federal agencies under FOIA to force disclosure of their use of AI in executing and enforcing Trump-era policy directives.
fromNextgov.com
5 months ago

Government watchdog websites go dark as OMB withholds funds from IG committee

Several government oversight websites went down - and with them, access to watchdog reports and required hotline and whistleblower links - as of Wednesday morning as the White House Office of Management and Budget has moved to withhold funds from the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency, or CIGIE. "Due to a lack of apportionment of funds, this website is currently unavailable," the CIGIE website states.
US politics
fromBusiness Matters
5 months ago

How Archiving Software Enhances Transparency in Government Agencies

Government agencies operate under public scrutiny, with every communication and decision potentially subject to review. Transparency is essential for maintaining trust between citizens and institutions, but achieving it in the digital age presents new challenges. With most interactions now taking place online-through websites, social media platforms, and digital collaboration tools-agencies need reliable ways to capture, store, and retrieve these records. Archiving software has emerged as a practical solution, giving agencies the ability to document their digital footprint accurately and respond quickly to information requests.
US politics
US politics
fromTruthout
5 months ago

Trump Nixes Key USDA Hunger Report Months After Historic Cuts to Food Assistance

USDA halted annual Household Food Security reports, reducing transparency on hunger just after historic SNAP cuts and increasing difficulty tracking food insecurity.
UK politics
fromwww.theguardian.com
6 months ago

Johnson and Cummings' secret meeting with Palantir founder revealed

Boris Johnson met privately with Peter Thiel in August 2019, a meeting omitted from public ministerial records while Palantir sought UK government contracts.
East Bay (California)
fromThe Oaklandside
6 months ago

Investigating Oakland city contracts: on the podcast

Oakland's city contracting process faces scrutiny over fairness, transparency, and potential preferential treatment in awarding millions of dollars in contracts.
fromFortune
6 months ago

Federal websites are going dark as evidence of mass tampering with government data emerges

A federal website that informs the public about what information agencies are collecting and allows for public comment went down last weekend, and it has only been partially restored. The outage has raised concerns among advocates who already were troubled by the disappearance of data sets from government websites after President Donald Trump began his second term. As of Thursday, the website's landing page said, it was "currently undergoing revisions."
Public health
fromwww.mercurynews.com
6 months ago

Antioch to appoint next city clerk

The Antioch City Council unanimously voted on Aug. 12 to appoint a replacement instead of holding a special election, which officials said would be a more cost-effective solution. Rhodes, who was elected in November 2024, resigned as city clerk on July 30. In her resignation letter, the former city clerk did not state why she left office. According to a staff report, the city clerk position must be filled by the end of September.
US politics
fromFlowingData
6 months ago

Tracking changes to Census data

Hannah Recht is tracking data through the U.S. Census Bureau APIs:
US politics
UK news
fromwww.independent.co.uk
6 months ago

Ministers spent 2.4m fighting to keep huge Afghan data breach a secret

Ministers spent £2.4m fighting to keep a Ministry of Defence data leak secret that endangered thousands of Afghans.
#ufos
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