Democracy

Chalabi Unites Iraq

by Sheldon Rampton — December 25, 2005 - 4:35pm

Iraqi voters may not agree on much, but 99.5 percent of them agreed not to vote for Ahmed Chalabi in the country's December 15 election. Once hailed by U.S. neoconservatives as the "George Washington of Iraq," Chalabi's humiliating defeat at the polls makes him something of an embarrasment now. "The election results in Iraq may present Chalabi’s ardent U.S.

Main Source: 
MSNBC, December 22, 2005

As the Smoke Clears, Philip Morris Ruling Questioned

by Diane Farsetta — December 16, 2005 - 4:17pm

On December 15, the Illinois Supreme Court threw out a $10.1 billion verdict against Philip Morris and its parent company, Altria Group, saying they did not mislead consumers when advertising "light" cigarettes.

Main Source: 
Chicago Tribune, December 16, 2005

Baghdad Press Club Membership Has Its Privileges

by Diane Farsetta — December 9, 2005 - 2:25pm

"A U.S. investigation into allegations that the American military is buying positive coverage in the Iraqi media has expanded to examine a press club founded and financed by the U.S. Army," reports USA Today. The Baghdad Press Club was created in 2004, "to promote progress amid the violence and chaos of Iraq." A military spokesperson said "members are not required nor asked to write favorably" about the United States.

Main Source: 
USA Today, December 9, 2005

Fake News = Weakened Democracy

by Diane Farsetta — December 2, 2005 - 6:17pm

"The public's ability to participate in the rule-making process was undermined" when the administration of California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger produced video news releases (VNRs) promoting controversial proposals, ruled Sacramento Superior Court judge Lloyd Connelly.

Main Source: 
San Francisco Chronicle, December 2, 2005

Lawyers, Drugs and Ad Money

by Diane Farsetta — November 15, 2005 - 4:54pm

West Virginia's Pharmaceutical Cost Management Council unanimously approved "a financial disclosure form that would require pharmaceutical companies to reveal how much they spend on advertising and promotion of brand-name drugs" in the state, as well as any "gifts, grants or payments to physicians" in excess of $25.

Main Source: 
The Charleston Gazette (West Virginia), November 11, 2005

E-voting Not Yet Ready for Prime Time

by Diane Farsetta — October 25, 2005 - 3:11pm

"Questions about the security and accuracy of electronic voting systems are likely to continue into the 2006 national elections, because the U.S. government has not yet completed work on electronic voting guidelines," according to a new report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO).

Main Source: 
Computerworld, October 24, 2005

Preventing Embarrassing Information Becoming Public

by Bob Burton — October 19, 2005 - 6:06am

Guidelines issued by the Australian government's Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet advise public servants on how to avoid personal notebook comments being disclosed under the Freedom of Information Act.

Main Source: 
Australian Financial Review, October 19, 2005 (sub req'd)

Philippine President's Lobbying Contract Revealed

by Bob Burton — September 15, 2005 - 1:10am

In a report for the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, Malou Mangahas reveals that in late July 2005, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo entered into a $75,000 per month contract for lobbying services with Venable, a Washington D.C. law firm.

Main Source: 
Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, September 13, 2005
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