Spin control and freedom of information: Lessons for the United Kingdom from Canada
成果类型：
Article
署名作者：
Roberts, AS
署名单位：
Syracuse University; Syracuse University
刊物名称：
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
ISSN/ISSBN：
0033-3298
DOI：
10.1111/j.0033-3298.2005.00435.x
发表日期：
2005
页码：
1-23
关键词：
摘要：
The United Kingdom's new Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is intended to empower citizens by granting a right to government documents. However, the law will be implemented by a government that has developed highly centralized structures for controlling the communications activity of its departments. How will the revolutionary potential of the FOIA be squared with government's concern for 'message discipline'? Experience in implementing Canada's Access to Information Act may provide an answer. The Canadian law was intended to constrain executive authority, but officials developed internal routines and technologies to minimize its disruptive potential. These practices restrict the right to information for certain types of stakeholders, such as journalists or representatives of political parties. The conflict between public expectations of transparency and elite concerns about governability may not be adequately accounted for during implementation of the UK Freedom of Information Act.