Freedom of Information

While the new rules governing how large tech companies use people’s data are a step in the right direction, more must be done in order to rein in the excesses of “surveillance capitalism.”

This year’s International Right to Know Day was a reminder that despite the progress that’s been made, far too many people still don’t know the basic information they need to keep themselves and their loved ones healthy.

For too long, government secrets held Sri Lanka’s democracy back. Now, the law is already shifting power back where it belongs—in the hands of the people.

Italy’s freedom of information law has been in force since December. So why are government officials still refusing to answer Italians’ basic questions?

With existing regulations up for review, Gigi Sohn—an Open Society Leadership in Government Fellow and former counselor to the FCC chairman—speaks about the road ahead for advocates of a free, accessible internet.

In a city where one-third of its population are renters, advocates are using a transparency law to curb shady real estate practices.

When telecom companies launched an assault on net neutrality, a coalition of advocates fought back with an historic response.

The country is blazing a trail for transparency in a challenging region. But the law’s potential for advancing democracy will depend on citizens’ ability to use it.