Abstract
This chapter provides an overview of the definition of, justification for, and evolution of freedom of information laws and systems. In their purest form freedom of information laws serve as potent accountability tools of predominantly political power. The tensions between governing and transparency via information access at times present information access obstacles that severely impede the practical functionality of freedom of information regimes. The principal obstacle is the culture of secrecy that is still prevalent in many governments around the globe.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | The International Encyclopaedia of Journalism Studies |
| Editors | Folker Hanush, Tim Voss |
| Place of Publication | United States |
| Publisher | John Wiley & Sons |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Volume | 1 |
| Edition | 1 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9781118841570 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9781118841679 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 14 May 2019 |
Keywords
- journalism studies
- freedom of information
- right to information
- access to information
- international