Freedom of information law Books

Book Synopsis*New and Updated edition*It was the biggest leak in history. WikiLeaks infuriated the world's greatest superpower, embarrassed the British royal family and helped cause a revolution in North Africa. The man behind it was Julian Assange, one of the strangest figures ever to become a worldwide celebrity. Internet messiah or cyber-terrorist? Information freedom fighter or sex criminal?In this newly updated edition, award-winning Guardian journalists David Leigh and Luke Harding follow the story as it takes on ever-weirder twists and turns. In London, Assange went to ground in the back bedroom of the Ecuadorian embassy. Meanwhile, in a courtroom near Washington, the fate of the US army whistleblower Bradley Manning hung in the balance. And in Hawaii, a young man named Edward Snowden, working as a contractor for the National Security Agency, was about to take WikiLeaks into even darker territory.'A rip-roaring narrative of secrets, tantrums, technological wizardry, personal betrayal and vengeance.' Irish Independent'Excellent.' Sunday Times'Enjoyable... The WikiLeaks founder comes across as a shadowy, manipulative character with the habits of a tramp and the brain of a chess grandmaster.' Spectator'Superbly narrated...unputdownable.' Observer

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Book SynopsisTroubling Transparency brings together leading scholars from different disciplines to analyze freedom of information policies in the United States and abroad—how they are working, how they are failing, and how they might be improved, especially the mixed legacy and effectiveness of the U.S. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).Trade ReviewIs transparency part of the solution or part of the problem of modern democracy? Bringing together some of the world’s leading scholars and practitioners of transparency law, this volume reassesses where we stand fifty years after enactment of the Freedom of Information Act. Its essays offer critical reflections, affirmative fixes, and comparative evaluations, ultimately shedding invaluable light on the romantic notion that sunlight is the best disinfectant. -- David Cole, National Legal Director, ACLU, Professor, Georgetown University Law CenterA breakthrough volume, which stops treating transparency as an obvious good and looks carefully at its costs as well as its benefits. These are the careful studies we’ve been waiting for. -- Jane Mansbridge, Harvard UniversityAn essential intervention that collects the best thinking on the complex relationship between transparency and democracy. -- Tim Wu, Columbia UniversityTroubling Transparency comprises the most important contemporary scholarship on FOIA and its place in the ecosystem of government transparency. Each chapter provides a fresh, often bracing perspective on FOIA’s foundations, its functions, and whether it is serving the lofty democratic and good-government objectives that it was meant to advance. Essential reading for any scholar of government secrecy or accountability. -- Jonathan Manes, University at BuffaloTable of ContentsAcknowledgmentsIntroduction: Troubling Transparency, by David E. Pozen and Michael SchudsonPart I: FOIA’s Historical and Conceptual Foundations1. How Administrative Opposition Shaped the Freedom of Information Act, by Sam Lebovic2. Positive Rights, Negative Rights, and the Right to Know, by Frederick Schauer3. FOIA as an Administrative Law, by Mark FensterPart II: FOIA and the News Media4. The Other FOIA Requesters, by Margaret B. Kwoka5. State FOI Laws: More Journalist-Friendly, or Less?, by Katherine Fink6. FOIA and Investigative Reporting: Who’s Asking What, Where, and When—and Why It Matters, by James T. HamiltonPart III: Theorizing Transparency Tactics7. The Ecology of Transparency Reloaded, by Seth F. Kreimer8. Monitoring the U.S. Executive Branch Inside and Out: The Freedom of Information Act, Inspectors General, and the Paradoxes of Transparency, by Nadia Hilliard9. Output Transparency vs. Input Transparency, by Cass R. Sunstein10. Open Data: The Future of Transparency in the Age of Big Data, by Beth Simone Noveck11. Striking the Right Balance: Weighing the Public Interest in Access to Agency Records Under the Freedom of Information Act, by Katie Townsend and Adam A. MarshallPart IV: Comparative Perspectives12. The Global Influence of the United States on Freedom of Information, by Kyu Ho Youm and Toby Mendel13. Transparency as Leverage or Transparency as Monitoring? U.S. and Nordic Paradigms in Latin America, by Gregory Michener14. Structural Corruption and the Democratic-Expansive Model of Transparency in Mexico, by Irma Eréndira Sandoval-BallesterosList of ContributorsIndex

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Book SynopsisIf you've ever wanted to force open the secretive doors of government, this is the guide you need.Trade Review'Information is born free, but everywhere is in chains. Heather Brooke has written the Information Liberation Front guide to end the politicians' enslavement of the facts which belong to the public' -- Greg Palast, author The Best Democracy Money Can Buy'Heather Brooke pulls no punches when it comes to exposing how the government, public institutions and private companies all keep the British public in the dark. Even better, she tells readers how they can successfully challenge the system using the latest public access laws' -- Michael Crick, BBC journalist'Labour had been promising freedom of information for decades. Now we are getting it we need to keep the pressure on, and this is just the book to do that. All journalists should pick up these tricks' -- Jeremy Dear, General Secretary of the National Union of Journalists'Both revealing and practical - a necessary antidote to the British culture of secrecy' -- David Banisar, Deputy Director of Privacy InternationalTable of ContentsForeword by Ian Hislop Introduction Chapter 1 - FOI in practice Chapter 2 - Scotland Chapter 3 - Laws of Access Chapter 4 - Central Government Chapter 5 - Intelligence, Security and Defence Chapter 6 - Transport Chapter 7 - The Justice System Chapter 8 - Law Enforcement and Civil Defence Chapter 9 - Health Chapter 10 - The Environment Chapter 11 - Local Government Chapter 12 - Education Chapter 13 - Private Companies Chapter 14 - Information about Individuals Conclusion Appendix - Letters for requesting information

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Book SynopsisLearning the basic concepts of information law and the many legal concepts that come into play in the field of librarianship can seem like an overwhelming endeavor. Drawing upon the authors’ unique backgrounds in both law and librarianship, this text is designed to empower readers to understand, rather than be intimidated by, the law.Trade ReviewAn exploration of potential obvious and not-so-obvious legal issues is a highlight of the book. Access to information, intellectual freedom, censorship, and the impact of geographic-specific legislation are discussed. These topics are helpfully considered using examples in the context of a librarian’s actual interactions with patrons ... Perfect for novice librarians or readers seeking an introduction to information law."— Library JournalTable of ContentsAcknowledgments List of Acronyms and Abbreviations Chapter 1. Searching for Information (Law) Chapter 2. Structures and Terminology of the Law Chapter 3. Sources of Legal Rules: Statutes, Regulations, and Constitutions Chapter 4. Sources of Legal Rules: Reading and Understanding Case Law Chapter 5. Laws and Intellectual Freedom Chapter 6. Laws and Intellectual Property Chapter 7. Laws and Information Access Chapter 8. Laws and Law Enforcement Chapter 9. Laws and Professional Practice Chapter 10. Information and Law and the FutureReferences About the Authors Index

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Book SynopsisBy drawing on previously unseen primary source material and exhaustive archival research, this book reveals the largely untold and fascinating narrative of the development of the The Freedom of Information Act, and demonstrates how this single policy issue transformed presidential behaviour.

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Book SynopsisThis commentary offers the definitive guide to supplementary protection certificates (SPC); a key element in the regulation of the pharmaceutical and medical market within Europe. Beyond providing an overview of the European legislation and the CJEU case-law on SPCs, it also depicts and summarises national law and jurisprudence on leading pharmaceutical markets such as Germany, France and the United Kingdom as well as The Netherlands, Italy and Switzerland. Patent lawyers, those practising in the medical and pharmaceutical field as well as judges and academics will find this an invaluable resource.

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Book SynopsisAn essential addition to the bookshelf of any practitioner who has to consider information rights, however often. The book is the best kind of practitioner text: practical and clear, but also scholarly, thoughtful and analytical. (Sarah Hannett KC, Judicial Review)Retaining the position it has held since first publication, this is the 6th edition of the leading practitioner text on all aspects of information law. The latest edition includes a substantially enlarged set of chapters on appeals, enforcement, and remedies, as well as covering over 250 new judgments and decisions published since the last edition.Information Rights has been cited by the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and the Tribunals, and is used by practitioners, judges and all those who practise in the field, including journalists. The new edition maintains its style of succinct statements of principle, supported by case law, legislative provisions, and statutory guidance.The work is divided into 2 volumes.

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Book SynopsisThis book is a compilation of government reports from 2018 and 2019 on secrecy and information policies and procedures. The first 49-page report is from January 2019 and begins with an overview of the standards governing and exceptions applicable to grand jury secrecy. The report examines whether and how the rule of grand jury secrecy and its exceptions apply to Congress. The second report in this book focuses on disclosure requirements that provide transparency so that the electorate, the Senate and employing agencies are aware of potential conflicts of interest that presidential candidates, executive branch nominees and other high-ranking executive officials have. Should Congress consider legislation addressing financial conflicts of interests for executive branch officials, it may revisit disclosure requirements. The next 3-page report from 2018 revisits the issue of whether courts have inherent authority (and obligation) to release secret grand jury materials. Following this report is a discussion on the public release of newly appointed Judge Kavanaughs records and whether the scope and volume of the records released is similar to previous Supreme Court nominees. The fifth report provides information on locating military unit histories and individual service records of discharged, retired and deceased military personnel. It also provides information n locating and replacing military awards and medals. Included is contact information for military history centers, websites for additional sources of research and a bibliography of other publications, including related CRS reports. Next, is an exploration of whether executive privilege applies to the communications of a President-Elect. The final chapter in this book is a 76-page analysis of the Resolutions of Inquiry (a simple resolution making a direct request or demand of the President or the head of an executive department to furnish the House with specific factual information in the Administrations possession) and their use in the House from 1947 to 2017.

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Book SynopsisFOIA requires federal agencies to provide the public with access to government records and information based on the principles of openness and accountability in government. The objective of chapter 1 was to determine the extent to which agencies have implemented selected FOIA requirements; describe the methods established by agencies to reduce backlogged requests and the effectiveness of those methods; and identify any statutory exemptions that have been used by agencies as the basis for withholding (redacting) information from requesters. Chapter 2 provides information regarding federal court decisions that pertain to the improper withholding of FOIA records. The chapter discusses how many court decisions citing the improper withholding of FOIA records have resulted in disciplinary actions against responsible agency personnel. Chapter 3 reviews DOL''s FOIA processing including how the department and its components manage and process FOIA requests, how they prioritize requests, and the extent that responses to requests have been timely; and how many lawsuits DOL has been subjected to arising from FOIA requests, and the results of those lawsuits. Chapter 4 determines FOIA litigation-related costs incurred by federal agencies for lawsuits in which the plaintiffs substantially prevailed. Congress is currently considering legislation that would make substantive changes to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Chapter 5 provides a side-by-side comparison of the bills, using the versions that have passed each of their originating congressional chambers.

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Book SynopsisFreedom of information (FOI) is now an international phenomenon with over 100 countries from Albania to Zimbabwe enacting the right to know for their citizens. Since 2005, the UK’s Freedom of Information Act has opened up thousands of public bodies to unparalleled scrutiny and prompted further moves to transparency. Wherever the right to know is introduced, its success depends on the way it is implemented. In organisations worldwide, FOI only works because of those who oversee its operation on a day-to-day basis, promoting openness, processing requests and advising colleagues and the public. FOI is dependent on the FOI Officers. The Freedom of Information Officer’s Handbook is a comprehensive guide to FOI and its management. It is designed to be an indispensable tool for FOI Officers and their colleagues. It includes: a guide to the UK’s FOI Act, the right to know and the exemptions clear analysis of the most important case law and its implications for the handling of FOI requests pointers to the best resources to help FOI officers in their work explanations of how FOI interacts with other legislation, including detailed explorations of the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 and how the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation impacts on FOI a look at requirements to proactively publish information and the effect of copyright and re-use laws on FOI and open data comparisons of the UK’s Act with FOI legislation in other jurisdictions from Scotland to South Africa an exploration of the role of the FOI Officer: who they are, what they do, their career development and what makes them effective suggestions on how to embed FOI within an organisation using effective procedures, technology and training a stage-by-stage guide to processing requests for information. The Freedom of Information Officers’ Handbook includes the latest developments in FOI including amendments made to the UK’s FOI Act by the Data Protection Act 2018 and the revised s.45 code of practice published by the Cabinet Office in July 2018.Trade Review'Comprehensive, authoritative, definitive, exceptionally well organized and presented, "The Freedom of Information Officer's Handbook" is a complete and thoroughly 'user friendly' instructional guide and reference for anyone charged with FOI responsibilities and responses to requests. An essential and core addition to governmental information policy maker reference collections, "The Freedom of Information Officer's Handbook" is essential reading for all journalists and is unreservedly recommended for community, college, university collections.'- Able Greenspan, Midwest Book Review * Midwest Book Review *'The book is an absolute must read for staff new to FOI (and new to complex UK legislation) as they navigate their way through this new world and language. However, it is also a wonderful resource for more experienced staff to dip into as and when required. Every FOI Officer should have a copy on their desk.'- Lynn Wyeth, Head of Information Governance at Leicester City Council, Freedom of Information Journal * Freedom of Information Journal *Table of ContentsAcknowledgementsAbbreviationsIntroductionPart 1: Understanding FOI1. A brief history of freedom of information2. Understanding the Act3. The exemptions in the Freedom of Information Act4. The FOI officer’s toolkitPart 2: FOI in Context5. The Environmental Information Regulations6. The Freedom of Information Act, personal information and the GDPR7. Records and archives8. Publication schemes and proactive disclosure9. Copyright and re-use of informationPart 3: FOI in Practice10. The FOI officer11. Embedding FOI12. Managing FOI requests13. Communicating with applicants14. Internal reviews and appealsAppendicesAppendix 1 - Methodology of survey of English local authoritiesAppendix 2 - FOI response templatesAppendix 3 - Privacy notice for FOI requestsNotesIndex

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Book SynopsisApplying a comparative analysis on law and practices, combined with extensive data, this book considers the legal consequences for public servants who make unauthorised disclosures of official information and the protections available for whistleblowers.The author provides an in-depth treatment of the law of unauthorised disclosures in the UK to explore the protections available and discusses the theoretical and legal justifications for the making of disclosures, as well as the arguments for maintaining official secrecy. The book discusses the legal consequences of leaking information and a full assessment of the authorised alternatives, providing recommendations for reform throughout. This book will be of interest to academics working on whistleblowing, as well as their students. The various recommendations provided in the book will be of use to whistleblowing NGOs, policymakers and Members of Parliament.Trade Review'Using his extensive knowledge and experience in the field, Dr Savage analyses the law relating to the protection of journalistic sources, considers the impact of secrecy laws and provides case studies from the UK Civil Service, Armed Forces and Security and Intelligence Services. These case studies examine not only the unauthorized routes to disclosure of information but also the official whistleblowing mechanisms. Importantly, the work considers not only what should happen to whistleblowers but also what should happen to the information.' --David Lewis, Middlesex University, London, UK'Ashley Savage's comprehensive analysis of the treatment of whistleblowers in the British civil service, the security services, and the military invites comparison and contrast to the treatment of comparable public employees in the United States. His legal analysis, examination of administrative practices under British law, and suggestions for reform provide insights for American readers examining our own laws. In particular, Savage's attention to freedom of expression under the European Convention on Human Rights reminds us of the human rights foundation for whistleblower protection.' --Robert G. Vaughn, American University, Washington College of LawTable of ContentsContents: Preface 1. Introduction 2. The Consequences of Making an Unauthorised Disclosure 3. Protection as a Journalistic Source 4. Legal Protections for Raising Concerns 5. Whistleblowing in the Civil Service 6. Whistleblowing in the Security and Intelligence Services 7. Whistleblowing in the Armed Forces 8. Final Observations Index

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Book SynopsisThis fresh and insightful Research Handbook delivers global perspectives on information law and governance, delving into principles of information law in the areas of trade secrecy, privacy, data protection and cybersecurity.Providing US, Japanese and European perspectives, this Research Handbook presents an overview of legal regimes concerning the protection of information, with a particular focus on trade secrecy protection. Top international contributors offer analyses of general principles of information law, rights in data, the tension between trade secrecy and the freedom of information and the cross-fertilisation between national and regional data protection regimes.Presenting an interdisciplinary and holistic approach to information law and governance, this innovative Research Handbook will be useful to those researching trade secrets, privacy and data security laws. The broad range of perspectives will also appeal to attorneys and information professionals who are engaged in information governance activities on behalf of their clients or employers.Trade Review‘While the breath is impressive, the true value of this book is found in the doctrinal chapters, authored by leading experts with clarity, depth and attention to detail. The Handbook is undoubtedly a good resource for anyone interested in the foundational tenets of many areas of information law.’ -- Ann Kristin Glenster, The Cambridge Law Review‘This is a must read for anyone with a keen awareness of the need for a new look at information law and governance. The book as a whole reviews information law from a holistic perspective beyond the traditional realms such as intellectual property, trade secrets, privacy and cybersecurity, providing an excellent coverage of the issues brought forth by accelerated digitalization and interconnectivity in today’s society.’ -- Masabumi Suzuki, Nagoya University, Japan'This approachable title provides essential perspectives on the governance of valuable undisclosed information and data. Written by international experts, the book provides useful insights into complex questions of trade secrets, privacy and cybersecurity law. Their diverse approach to the topic highlights the multifaceted nature of protection of valuable information, underlining the necessity for balance, in times when everything may be digitalized and claimed to be owned.' -- Nari Lee, Hanken School of Economics, FinlandTable of ContentsContents: Introduction ix PART I GENERAL PERSPECTIVES 1 Cyberlaw will die and we will kill it 2 Ira Steven Nathenson 2 Confidentiality creep and opportunistic privacy 28 David S. Levine 3 Disclosure 48 Sharon K. Sandeen PART II EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS IN DATA: THE STATUS QUO AND THE WAY FORWARD 4 Exclusivity in data: How to best combine the patchwork of applicable European legal instruments 69 Herbert Zech 5 Data(base) rights? – misappropriation, property, and tales of trials and tribulations 77 Guido Westkamp 6 Big data in Japan: Copyright, trade secret and new regime in 2018 108 Tatsuhiro Ueno 7 Liability for the loss of data 121 Anette Gärtner PART III TRADE SECRECY LAW: EU, US AND GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES 8 The emergence of a global standard for reasonable efforts? 135 Christoph Rademacher 9 Employer’s liability for trade secret infringement 154 Gintarė Surblytė-Namavičienė 10 The limits of trade secret protection in the EU 174 Tanya Aplin 11 Freedom of the media and trade secrets in Europe 195 Ulla-Maija Mylly 12 The DTSA and trade secret extraterritoriality 217 Elizabeth A. Rowe and Giulia C. Farrior 13 Jurisdiction and choice of law in trade secrets cases: the EU perspective 234 Ansgar Ohly PART IV DATA PROTECTION, PRIVACY AND CYBERSECURITY 14 Data privacy in Europe and its reception under Japanese law 259 Henrike Weiden and Kensaku Takase 15 The right to explanation, explained 278 Margot E. Kaminski 16 An introduction to the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) 300 Eric Goldman 17 Legislative developments on cybersecurity in the EU in the age of artificial intelligence 309 Faye Fangfei Wang Index

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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