2Day in #OpenGov 10/19/2012

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NEWS ROUNDUP:

Government

  • DoD doubles down on leaks: In a memo released yesterday Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta reaffirmed the Pentagon’s commitment to tracking down and punishing leakers. The DoD will impliment a “top down” approach, including the review of major media sources for leaked information, in their efforts to find individuals who release classified information into the public domain. (POGO)
  • SEC seeing better tips: The SECs whistleblower office, which opened just over a year ago, has already received nearly 3,000 tips from around the world. According to SEC commisioner Luis Aguilar, the quality of information received has gone up significantly since the implementation of a Dodd-Frank Act program that provides rewards to whistleblowers whose information leads to enforcement cases with penalties over $1 million. (Wall Street Journal)
Access to Information
  • Apple’s information may come out: Over Apple’s objections, US District Judge Lucy Koh denied the companies request to seal a number of financial performance documents that include product-specific information on sales, revenue, profits, margins, and costs. The decision, which will be reviewed by an appeals court, is being supported by the First Amendment Coalition, the Reporters’ Committee for the Freedom of the Press, several major media outlets, and other open-access advocates. (Ars Technica)
Campaign Trail
  • Bloomberg’s super spending: New York Mayor and Billionaire Michael Bloomberg (I) has announced his intentions to spend up to $15 million in the closing weeks of the campaign through a new super PAC. He plans to identify competitive congressional, state, and local candidates from both parties that agree with him on a variety of policy areas ranging from stricter gun laws to education reform. (Politico)
  • Governors’ associations loom large: The Republican and Democratic Governors Associations can act as an avenue for corporations and wealthy donors to funnel money to their favored candidates. The associations give huge amounts to gubenatorial candidates around the country and also collect huge amounts from various interests. (Public Integrity)
International
  • Zambian news site attacked, utilized by government officials: Several high ranking Zambian officials have called for the online news site Zambian Watchdog, called “Zambia’s Wikileaks” to be taken offline. Last week, two other high ranking Zambian officials were caught reading the website on their tablets during a Council meeting. (Global Voices)
  • Macedonian law could lead to online censorship: The Macedonian Parliament is considering a new law related to defamation in online communications that may result in censorship of online communication. The proposed law would hold service providers, as well as individuals, responsible for damages related to defamatory content. (Tech President)

RELEVANT BILLS INTRODUCED:

  • None.

HAPPENING TODAY 10/19: 

  • None.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES:

  • None. 

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