THE MEDIA AND ACCESS TO GOVERNMENT-HELD INFORMATION IN A DEMOCRACY

Author: PATERSON, MOIRA

Source: Oxford University Commonwealth Law Journal, Volume 8, Number 1, 2008 , pp. 3-24(22)

Buy & download fulltext article:

Price: $59.66 plus tax (Refund Policy)

Abstract:

This article explores the impact of information access laws on the capacity of the media to promote open democracy, focussing on developments in a range of Commonwealth countries, including Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. It begins with a discussion of freedom of information laws, their democratic rationales, and the factors which have affected media usage of freedom of information laws. There then follows a review of the interrelationships between freedom of information and privacy laws and the extent to which privacy exemptions in freedom of information laws may impact on the activities of the media. The article concludes with a discussion of data protection law and other privacy-based restrictions on media access to information and their potential impact on the media's role in a democracy.

Document Type: Research article

Publication date: 2008-01-01

More about this publication?

The Oxford University Commonwealth Law Journal (OUCLJ) is the flagship journal of Oxford University's postgraduate law community, produced under the aegis of the Law Faculty.
It is published twice-yearly and endeavours to foster international academic debate and exchange on a wide range of legal topics of interest throughout the Commonwealth.
Editorial Board
Information for Authors
Subscribe to this Title
Information for Advertisers
Contents
Sample Paper
Email alerts (Hart books and journals)
ingentaconnect is not responsible for the content or availability of external websites