Transparency in Politics and the Media: Accountability and Open Government(Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism)

Increasingly governments around the world are experimenting with initiatives in transparency or 'open government'. These involve a variety of measures including the announcement of more user-friendly government websites, greater access to government data, the extension of freedom of information legislation and broader attempts to involve the public in government decision making. However, the role of the media in these initiatives has not hitherto been examined. This volume analyses the challenges and opportunities presented to journalists as they attempt to hold governments accountable in an era of professed transparency. In examining how transparency and open government initiatives have affected the accountability role of the press in the US and the UK, it also explores how policies in these two countries could change in the future to help journalists hold governments more accountable. This volume will be essential reading for all practising journalists, for students of journalism or politics, and for policymakers.

Table of Contents:
Introduction James T. Hamilton, Nigel Bowles and David Levy Part I: Defining Transparency and Open Government Before Transparency: Disclosure as Political and Cultural Practice 1960s-1980s Michael Schudson (Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism The Impact of the Freedom of Information Act in the UK (co-author: Robert Hazell) Ben Worthy, and Robert Hazell, University College London Part II: Impact of Transparency on Accountability 3. Impact of Transparency on Accountability Peter Riddell, The Institute for Government 4. Transparency and Public Policy: Where Open Government Fails Accountability Sarah Cohen, New York Times Part III: Media Transparency and Accountability 5. Transparency John Lloyd, Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism 6. ‘Truth Vigilantes’: On Journalism and Transparency Phil Bennett, Duke University Part IV: Making Sense of Records and Data 7. The transparency opportunity: holding power to account – or making power accountable? Paul Bradshaw, Birmingham City University 8. Making Sense of Records and Data Jennifer LaFleur, ProPublica Part V: Valuing Transparency in Government and the Media 9. Valuing Transparency in Government and Media Patrick Birkinshaw, University of Hull 10. Corporations and Transparency: Improving Consumer Markets and Increasing Public Accountability Joel Gurin, Federal Communications Commission (with Beth Simone Noveck) Part VI: Rise of NGOs and Nonprofit Media 11. The Rise of NGOs and Nonprofit Media Charles Lewis, American University Part VII: Policy Hurdles to Transparency 12. Keeping American Accountability Journalism Alive Len Downie, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism, Arizona State University and Washington Post 13. Data, Data Everywhere: Open Data versus Big Data in the Quest for Transparency Helen Margetts, Oxford Internet Institute

About the Author :
Nigel Bowles is Director of the Rothermere American Institute, University of Oxford. James T. Hamilton is Charles S. Sydnor Professor of Public Policy, and Professor of Political Science and Economics at Duke University's Sanford School of Public Policy and Director of the DeWitt Wallace Center for Media and Democracy. David A. L. Levy is Director of the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, University of Oxford.

Review :
'This book's prescient examination of transparency and accountability comes at a crucial moment for both the media and open government. This important document should be pondered and then become a catalyst for powerful action- by both media and government.' Alex S. Jones, Director of the Joan Shorestein Center on the Press, Politics and Public Policy, and Laurence M. Lombard Lecturer in the Press and Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School of Government