Spring Break
Transparency
Issue date: 1/24/08 Section: Forum
Defined by Merriam-Webster as "characterized by visibility or accessibility of information" and "free from pretense or deceit," transparency is increasingly a part of Western institutions. Increasing quickly are the debates about, requests for and systems providing transparency.
The First Amendment - freedom of speech - protects our rights to discuss and critique issues affecting us all, and transparency enables us to do this - if we have the access. Americans have long held this to be true and are increasingly decentralizing these efforts. In Jan. 2007, Trendwatching.com reported transparency as one of five top trends for 2007.
As said on Trendwatching.com, the effects of transparency on the market have already been significant - effects such as prices, brand power and purchase decisions, which the group says is, "scaring the s--- out of [the] non-performing." As any business class would show, perfect competition requires informed decision-making.
Blogging and multimedia platforms, through so-called "citizen journalism," have already shown their power to catch crooks, expose flawed products and embarrass celebrities.
Nationally, projects such as FedSpending.org and Opensecrets.org aim to expose the inner financial details of the government and those who run it, in addition to donors of political campaigns.
Even pop-critic Perez Hilton has joined in reporting donations made to candidates by celebrities.
Adequate local transparency, however, has not yet been established. Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski stated in a Jan. 16 press release that transparency and oversight are guiding principles for economic and environmental sustainability.
Defending his position, Kulongoski said, "These issues are regional, non-partisan, long-term and critical to our economy, environment and quality of life."
On Jan. 4, the Oregon University System Board passed a proposal
to increase transparency in fees
and tuition.
The First Amendment - freedom of speech - protects our rights to discuss and critique issues affecting us all, and transparency enables us to do this - if we have the access. Americans have long held this to be true and are increasingly decentralizing these efforts. In Jan. 2007, Trendwatching.com reported transparency as one of five top trends for 2007.
As said on Trendwatching.com, the effects of transparency on the market have already been significant - effects such as prices, brand power and purchase decisions, which the group says is, "scaring the s--- out of [the] non-performing." As any business class would show, perfect competition requires informed decision-making.
Blogging and multimedia platforms, through so-called "citizen journalism," have already shown their power to catch crooks, expose flawed products and embarrass celebrities.
Nationally, projects such as FedSpending.org and Opensecrets.org aim to expose the inner financial details of the government and those who run it, in addition to donors of political campaigns.
Even pop-critic Perez Hilton has joined in reporting donations made to candidates by celebrities.
Adequate local transparency, however, has not yet been established. Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski stated in a Jan. 16 press release that transparency and oversight are guiding principles for economic and environmental sustainability.
Defending his position, Kulongoski said, "These issues are regional, non-partisan, long-term and critical to our economy, environment and quality of life."
On Jan. 4, the Oregon University System Board passed a proposal
to increase transparency in fees
and tuition.
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