Public Services Awards 2006 - no awards for FOI, transparency & openess
FOI and Access to Information still has quite a way to go in reaching the public service agenda as a core issue - it is disappointing to note that the forthcoming Public Services Awards feature no awards relating to freedom of information, transparency or open government. One of the problems with FOI at the moment is that many of headlines often focus on the negative issues such as witholding of information, little praise is given given to organisations who are making efforts to bring new information into the public domain.
Perhaps there is a need to revive the Freedom of Infornmation awards? (last given in 2001)..post your thoughts below....
1 comment:
In this current climate of fear and uncertainty resurrecting the FOI awards would certainly be a good idea. With the ongoing controversies surrounding the war in Iraq situation, the handling of the 7/7 bombings, the de Menezes shooting it seems as if there's never been a greater for government transparency and accountability. Flagging up the postive aspects of FOI should of course also be highlighted, but as you mention they receive little media coverage.
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