In a January 21st memo, President Obama called for U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to set new federal guidelines to carry out a more transparent interpretation of the Freedom of Information Act. On March 19th, Holder issued a memo to the heads of federal agencies with instructions to err on the side of openness when responding to FOIA requests.
Read MoreSurvey Ranks States for Online Access to Public Information
This week, the Sunshine Week 2009 Survey of State Government Information Online published the results of its survey, which ranks state governments on the online accessibility of public records.
Read MoreMarch 16 is Freedom of Information Day
Freedom of Information Day is celebrated annually on March 16, the birth date of the fourth US President James Madison.
Read MorePolice Reports
While aware that police reports are often required after traffic accidents for insurance purposes, many people do not realize that other police reports are available to the general public. The detailed reports can be helpful in preparing for related court proceedings or due diligence backgrounding; or, on a personal basis, to learn more about police activity in your neighborhood.
Read MoreCalifornia Governor's Office Will Release Form 700s and Travel Expenses Online
According to a recent press release from the California Office of the Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger has mandated increased transparency within his office by requiring the online publication of personal financial disclosure and travel disclosure filings for his senior staff and department heads.
Read MoreA Growing Profession: Digital Archivists
Also known as digital asset managers or digital preservation officers, these people adapt all types of documents and written materials for use in computer databases, making the information readily accessible for future researchers.
Read MoreTwenty Million Page Download of Court Documents Leads to Debate About PACER
A PACER trial at several libraries nationwide allowed unlimited access to court records last fall. Open-government activist Carl Malamud recruited others to download documents from the free servers to publish for free on the Internet, sparking a debate about practical obscurity.
Read MorePfizer Announces They Will Disclose Payments to Doctors
Pfizer has announced it will soon report payments totaling $500 or more to healthcare providers, clinical trial investigators and institutions where clinical trials take place.
Read MoreBackgrounding Expert Witnesses
In preparing for an upcoming trial, it is crucial to know the background of any expert witness you are going to cross-examine. Reviewing their previous work and past statements will provide insight into any biases they may possess, and give you the foresight necessary for a stronger case.
Read MoreCourt Restricts Access to Coroner Reports Involved in Criminal Investigations
Following a recent court ruling by the Sacramento Third District Court of Appeal, coroner reports related to criminal investigations are no longer released as public records.
Read MoreIntegrating Expert Knowledge and Public Records for Fact Verification
Despite the ready availability of public records that could help publishers perform simple fact checks on the manuscripts and personalities they handle, few do - making literary and media deception fairly simple to pull off.
Read MoreUsing Public Records to Research Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities
The decision to place a loved one in a nursing home or assisted living facility is never easy. With more than 17,000 nursing home facilities and 33,000 assisted living facilities operating in the United States, picking the right facility could seem like an impossible task. However, public records can provide the information you need to make a well-informed decision.
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