The Media and Access to Government—Held Information in a Democracy

Paterson, Moira

doi:10.1080/14729342.2008.11421487

Cited by 4 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…This argument accords with the views of other administrative law experts and FOI practitioners including Paterson (2005Paterson ( , 2007Paterson ( , 2008Paterson ( and 2009), Young (2001, 2007), Solomon et al (2008), Bayne (1984), Chadwick (1985) and McMillan (2008.…”

Section: Potential Benefits Of Foisupporting

confidence: 67%

“…At the same time, the media plays an equally crucial role in making government information available in the public domain (Paterson 2008). The availability of information to the media, as well as the effectiveness and vibrancy of the media in publishing information are, however, determined by the levels of government control over both information and the media (Paterson 2008), and the levels of diversity of media ownership.…”

Section: Access To Information Via the Mediamentioning

confidence: 99%

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Securing freedom of information in Vietnamese government and law

Hue¹

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This research concerns freedom of information (FOI) Vietnam already has several factors necessary for the establishment of a mechanism for information access. This means that Vietnam can adopt an FOI reform as part of broader ongoing democratic reform. By reforming FOI, a flow of information will be created, enabling public access to public information while eroding public administrative secrecy. Gradually, it is to be hoped, FOI will help strengthen good governance in Vietnam as transparency, efficiency and accountability in the operation of government increase.The research documents however that enacting a specific FOI law is just the initial step to reforming FOI. As the Vietnamese government and Vietnamese law have many distinctive attributes, the research suggests that it is unrealistic to unrealistic to proceed, initially, with an overly ambitious FOI act. Instead, the Vietnamese government could consider a reform aiming to 'push' public agencies to disclose more information and encourage the public to 'pull' public agencies to extract information. 3Such a reform, together with other efforts to improve the cultural, social, economic and political environment, should gradually increase information disclosure and make possible the formation of the free flow of information that is essential for good governance and protection of diverse social interests.As a tool for good governance, FOI cannot work alone but relies on interaction with other accountability, transparency and efficiency mechanisms and a supportive local context. This thesis emphasises that FOI reform in Vietnam should be accompanied by detailed strategies to accommodate the FOI legislation to its new environment and also to make local conditions more receptive.4

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Section: Potential Benefits Of Foisupporting

confidence: 67%

Section: Access To Information Via the Mediamentioning

confidence: 99%

Securing freedom of information in Vietnamese government and law

Hue¹

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“…Moreover, comparable with evidence from Western countries (Cuillier, 2010; Cuillier & Davis, 2011; Kimball, 2003), this study also emphasizes great tensions between journalists and government officials that derive from the interpretation and functionality of these laws. Deficiencies within FOI laws represent serious obstructions for journalists’ access to information (Paterson, 2008). However, the quality of legislation does not necessarily guarantee its successful implementation.…”

Section: Conclusion and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Mending the information asymmetry between those who govern and the governed, FOI laws conceptualize the government as guardians of public information on behalf of citizens rather than owners of it (Snell & Sebina, 2007). They provide a legal mechanism through which journalists and citizens can access governmental information proactively, instead of waiting for it to be released at the discretion of government officials (Paterson, 2008). However, some critics emphasize that FOI laws can be “sustenance for democracy” as much as “ammunition in political struggle” (Gingras, 2012, p. 222).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Governments’ Uses and Misuses of Freedom of Information Laws in Emerging European Democracies

Camaj

2016

Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly

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This study tests the normative assumptions on the empowerment effects of freedom of information (FOI) legislation on the press–government relationship in the context of new democracies. In-depth interviews with journalists in Albania, Kosovo, and Montenegro imply that FOI laws can facilitate access to some previously unavailable official information. But, contrary to expectations, FOI laws are proving counterproductive for journalists who report stories beyond the official storyline, as government relies on this tool to control information access and the news agenda. The implication of these results for media freedom, agenda-building theory, and future transparency initiatives is discussed.

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“…It is noted that the uptake in FOI laws' adoption around the world coincided with the third wave of democratisation (Kato and Tanaka 2019), which took place in Africa. Some studies have shown that adoption of the FOI Act in some countries was performed as a ploy to bolster their democratic credentials (Michener 2011;Paterson 2008). Most studies have focused on legal analysis, examining the interpretation and functionality of FOI laws (Paterson 2005;Snell 2004), while their practical effects on journalism have not been given much attention in the developing world, particularly in Nigeria.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Knowledge and Use of the 2011 Freedom of Information Act among Journalists in Nigeria

Eze

2024

Journalism and Media

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This study examined the knowledge and use of the 2011 Freedom of Information Act among journalists in Nigeria. The hierarchy of influences model provided the theoretical lens, which guided the study. Through a survey of 313 Nigerian journalists, the study found that there was a high level of knowledge of the Act among Nigerian journalists. Nigerian journalists perceived the Act as a useful journalistic tool, and they often used it for such purposes as confirming facts, writing controversial topics and to gain insight into the inner working of government. The study showed that, in the use of the Act in journalistic duties, Nigerian journalists were confronted with the challenges of non-integration of the provisions of the Act in the operations of government agencies, adversarial disposition of government institutions towards journalists and the pervasive culture of secrecy. The study established that knowledge of the Act positively correlated with its use. The implications of the findings were discussed.

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The Media and Access to Government—Held Information in a Democracy

Cited by 4 publications

References 7 publications

Securing freedom of information in Vietnamese government and law

Securing freedom of information in Vietnamese government and law

Governments’ Uses and Misuses of Freedom of Information Laws in Emerging European Democracies

Knowledge and Use of the 2011 Freedom of Information Act among Journalists in Nigeria

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