*Normally I'm very keen on efforts of this kind, which is why I am blogging this, but...
*I wonder where journalists are supposed to "publish" stuff like this nowadays. Is there anywhere plausible left to "publish" it? If it's "inaccessible federal government data" and it somehow becomes somewhat-accessible searchable NGO website data, are you really gonna get a big block of "public" eyeballs on that? Ever? Or is it rather more likely to become a handy data-dump for commercial entities to datamine for whatever advantage?
*Crowdsourcing versus bureaucracies; tea-parties versus the filing cabinet; "We broke your business model and now we're here for your machines." PUBLISHING is supposed to be sunshine, but datamining tends to be quite covert.
Help The Center’s Data Mine Liberate
Gov’t Records During Sunshine Week
Online Series Highlights Inaccessible Federal Government Data
WASHINGTON, D.C., March 17, 2010 — As part of Sunshine Week, March 14-20, The Center for Public Integrity and the Sunlight Foundation are looking for help with The Data Mine, a new online series identifying inaccessible or difficult to use information from the federal government.
So far, we've spotlighted how the public can examine more than 10 million declassified CIA documents — but only by appearing in person at a National Archives storage building in suburban Washington, D.C. The Data Mine has also looked at how the Agriculture Department’s data-rich site continues to omit the politically-sensitive annual listing of subsidy payments to individual farmers and how OSHA refuses to hand over the results of millions of workplace tests for toxic substances.
However, we need your tips on other federal government records, databases, and filings that should be open to the public. Here’s what we’re looking for:
Has the government denied your attempt to FOIA certain information?
Are you aware of any government reports or data that are unnecessarily hidden from public view?
Have you successfully obtained government data, only to find it cumbersome or impractical to use in today’s electronic environment?
From the CIA to the CDC, there's a wealth of concealed information out there, and with your help, we can make sure that our government is taking the proper steps to carry out President Barack Obama's Open Government Initiative.
Email all tips to: [email protected]. Please indicate if you want to be publicly credited on the Center’s website for your suggestion.
Let us know what federal data should be liberated, and we’ll start shining a light on some dark corners of Washington.
Led by the American Society of News Editors, Sunshine Week is a national initiative to open a dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information. Participants include print, broadcast, online news media, civic groups, libraries, nonprofits, schools, and others interested in the public's right to know. (((I'm wondering if these "and others" might have giant databases and a number-crunching capacity for "today's electronic environment" – I mean, some Yahoo Google Facebook and Twitter-style muscle that makes the rest of these interested parties look like Diogenes toting an ancient Greek oil lamp.)))
The Sunlight Foundation is a non-partisan, non-profit that uses cutting-edge technology and ideas to make government transparent and accountable. Visit SunlightFoundation.com to learn more about Sunlight’s projects, including Transparency Corps and Party Time.
The Center for Public Integrity is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, and independent digital news organization specializing in original investigative journalism and research on significant public policy issues. Since 1990, the Washington, D.C.-based Center has released more than 475 investigative reports and 17 books to provide greater transparency and accountability of government and other institutions. It has received the George Polk Award and more than 32 other major journalism awards, including honors from Investigative Reporters and Editors, Online News Association, Overseas Press Club, Society of Environmental Journalists, and Society of Professional Journalists. www.publicintegrity.org
*Like, say, the public-interest sunshine and a "think cloud." Do you think the public sphere will get all sunshiney if every possible US Govt database gets vacuumed into a "think cloud"? Suppose that "think cloud" scheme went a little kooky or something. You think maybe a chiding editorial in THE NATION would set all that straight? Maybe you could start, like, a California write-in petition?
http://www.readwriteweb.com/cloud/2010/03/amazon-think-cloud-aws.php
