Category Archives: Freedom

A group that advocates for government transparency has filed a complaint with B.C.'s information commissioner, pointing to a significant increase in cases where the province responds to freedom-of-information requests by claiming it couldn't find any documents.

The B.C. Freedom of Information and Privacy Association suggests the trend is either a reflection of a government that avoids keeping records to skirt the law or a sign the province isn't releasing all the information it could.

"We've seen examples where you'd expect records to exist and they don't exist," the association's executive director, Vincent Gogolek, said in an interview Thursday.

"The phenomenon is clear. The records are not coming out."

The group used data posted to the government's website to track cases in which the government determined it could not find any records to satisfy a freedom-of-information request.

The numbers indicate such cases accounted for nearly a quarter of all requests in 2011-2012, compared with less than half a per cent in 2002-2003.

For requests from the news media, that number jumps to 34 per cent, when there were no such cases in 2002-2003.

Gogolek wrote the province's information commissioner, Elizabeth Denham, asking her to launch an investigation. Denham's office declined to comment but confirmed she had received the letter.

Last year, Premier Christy Clark promised a new era of accountability, saying her government would release more information without the need for freedom-of-information requests, distribute documents released through such requests through its website, and post a host of government data online.

On Thursday Citizens' Services Minister Ben Stewart repeated the government's previous claim that much of the increase in requests that do not generate records is due to requesters using a centralized online form to send the same request to multiple ministries.

More:
Freedom-of-information requests coming up empty, B.C. group complains

A new documentary that reframes childbirth as the most pressing global Human Rights issue today is launching with hundreds of premires all over the world on the same day, Thursday 20th September 2012. The screening in Wellington on that date is at the Penthouse Cinema at 8pm.

Freedom For Birth is a 60 minute campaigning documentary featuring a Who's Who of leading birth experts and international Human Rights lawyers all calling for radical change to the world's maternity systems.

Made by British film-makers Toni Harman and Alex Wakeford, Freedom For Birth film tells the story of an Hungarian midwife gnes Gerb who has been jailed for supporting women giving birth at home. One of the home birth mothers supported by Ms Gerb decided to take a stand.

When pregnant with her second child, Anna Ternovsky took her country to the European Court of Human Rights and won a landmark case that has major implications for childbirth around the world.

Toni Harman, one of the film-makers says, "the Ternovsky vs Hungary ruling at the European Court of Human Rights in 2010 means that now in Europe, every birthing woman has the legal right to decide where and how she gives birth. And across the world, it means that if a woman feels like her Human Rights are being violated because her birth choices are not being fully supported, she could use the power of the law to protect those rights. With the release of "Freedom For Birth", we hope millions of women become aware of their legal rights and so our film has the potential to spark a revolution in maternity care across the world. In fact, we are calling this the Mothers' Revolution."

Karen Guilliland, CEO of the New Zealand College of Midwives says that New Zealanders are likely to be shocked at the story told by Freedom For Birth. "We are one of the very few countries where pregnant women enjoy full rights as a person." Karen recently spoke at the Human Rights in Childbirth Conference at the Hague, in the Netherlands and says that the international audience was inspired by our system. "Human rights seem like such a given in New Zealand but much of the world still does not meet the human rights expectations we take for granted. However, we should never take our maternity rights for granted and Freedom For Birth will encourage us to cherish and protect what we have."

Hermine Hayes-Klein, US lawyer and organiser of the recent Human Rights in Childbirth Conference at the Hague, the Netherlands says, "Freedom For Birth" holds the answer to changing the system. Birth will change when women realise they have a right to meaningful support for childbirth and claim that right. Birth will change when women stand up against the abuses that are currently suffered in such high numbers and say, No More."

When asked why they are showing the film, the two Wellington mothers who are organising the local screening, Karen Gault and Vida Rye say, "We want all women to be fully informed of their birth options and to be supported in their choice of how and where they give birth. We feel privileged to have birthed in a country that has a maternity system that, in the main, respects those choices. However, we feel that we cannot be complacent about what we have, we need to hold on to it for our children and their children, there are still improvements needed".

The local screening of Freedom For Birth will take place at the Penthouse Cinema, Brooklyn, Wellington at 8pm on Thursday 20th September 2012. The screening is to raise funds for the "Birth Centre for Wellington" project.

To book your tickets http://www.birthhub.org/freedomforbirth or contact 04 589 7802.

Originally posted here:
Global premiere of 'Freedom For Birth' documentary

Myanmar's Information Minister Aung Kyi said the government wants to work with the country's journalists to establish new press freedom laws.

Published: Sept. 12, 2012 at 6:30 AM

YANGON, Myanmar, Sept. 12 (UPI) -- Myanmar's Information Minister Aung Kyi said the government wants to work with the country's journalists to establish new media freedom laws.

Aung Kyi, former labor minister and government liaison to pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, has been meeting with journalists in Yangon to discuss media issues, the Irrawaddy news website said.

The move comes after the government did away last month with the requirement of publications to submit their copy to a government censor before publishing them.

However, publishers must submit articles to the Information Ministry's Press Scrutiny and Registration Department after publication to determine if publishing laws have been broken.

Aung Kyi said the Information Ministry will put together a first draft and consult with Myanmar's journalist community before deciding on a version to be presented to Parliament.

He also said he wanted to work through the Myanmar Core Press Council that the government set up last month as its official media liaison and watchdog, the Irrawaddy report said.

"We now feel a sense of freedom," MCPC member Ko Ko told the Irrawaddy, run by expatriate Myanmar journalists operating in Thailand. "We must start working together to write a new law and confine the 1962 law to history."

Zaw Thet Htwe, a spokesman for the independent Committee for Freedom of the Press, said "we will need to wait and see to what extent our ideas are included."

Read the rest here:
Myanmar moves closer to more press freedom

September 12, 2012 - Frontier League (FL) Florence Freedom Florence, KY-The Southern Illinois Miners took advantage of two errors in the seventh inning and went on to defeat the Florence Freedom 5-3 in game one of the Frontier League Championship series.

With the game tied at 3-3 in the seventh, Jason Ganek reached on a Stephen Cardullo throwing error at third base. Jose Velazquez retired the next two batters bringing Chris Anderson to the plate with Ganek standing at third. Anderson hit a pop up to the right side of the infield which second baseman Pierre LePage dropped. This allowed Ganek to score. The two errors by the Freedom defense gave the Miners a 4-3 lead.

In the ninth, the Freedom had a chance against Miner closer Brandon Cunniff. With the bases loaded and with two outs, Cunniff got Peter Fatse to ground out to second base to end the ballgame.

The Freedom took a 1-0 lead on a Kyle Bluestein solo homerun in the second inning. The Miners then got back to back homeruns in the third. Anderson hit a two run homer off Freedom starter Andy Clark(0-2) and then Cannon Lester followed with a solo shot giving the Miners a 3-1 lead.

Drew Rundle hit his second homerun of the postseason in the sixth. It was a two run shot to left field which tied the game at 3-3.

David Harden(2-0) the Southern Illinois starter improved to 6-0 lifetime against the Freedom as he went 6.2 innings allowing seven hits on three earned runs. Cunniff picked up his fourth save of the postseason in as many tries.

Clark worked six innings giving up four hits on three earned runs with one walk and four strikeouts.

Bluestein and Fatse each had two hits for the Freedom who outhit the Miners 8-6.

The Freedom will look to even up the best of five series at a game apiece on Thursday night. LHP Daniel Calhoun(0-0, 7.20) gets the start for the Miners while the Florence starter is RHP Brandon Mathes(0-0, 4.00). The game can be heard with Steve Jarnicki starting at 6:20 on Real Talk 1160 and realtalk1160.com.

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Link:
Freedom Errors Help Miners Take Game One

Wednesday, 12 September 2012 22:28

Following last year's controversy about academic freedom at the university, Faculty Senate discussed academic freedom at their regularly scheduled meeting Monday.

"I think many of us can agree that there has been a chill on this campus with regard to academic freedom and our faith in academic freedom especially in the classroom," English professor Jill Ehnenn said.

Last year, several faculty members voiced their complaints when tenured sociology professor Jammie Price was placed on administrative leave after students made seven allegations against Price, including engaging in "inappropriate speech and conduct" in the classroom.

There has been a lot of fear, complaints and questions regarding academic freedom since last year, Enhenn said.

"This is not an issue that just reflects the voices of five or six people," Enhenn said.

Faculty members expressed their concerns, questions and suggestions to the Faculty Senate and Provost of Academic Affairs Lori Gonzalez.

The administration will come up with answers regarding professors' questions about academic freedom, Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez said she is committed to academics and hopes to answer questions in a way that doesn't "pit administration against faculty."

"I just ask that you offer the benefit of the doubt until you can prove that we are not supporting academic freedom," Gonzalez said.

Link:
Academic freedom debate continues

For Immediate Release

Freedom For Birth Global Film Launch Gives birth to the Mothers' Revolution Wellington Wednesday 12th September 2012

A new documentary that reframes childbirth as the most pressing global Human Rights issue today is launching with hundreds of premires all over the world on the same day, Thursday 20th September 2012.

The screening in Wellington on that date is at the Penthouse Cinema at 8pm. Freedom For Birth is a 60 minute campaigning documentary featuring a Who's Who of leading birth experts and international Human Rights lawyers all calling for radical change to the world's maternity systems.

Made by British film-makers Toni Harman and Alex Wakeford, Freedom For Birth film tells the story of an Hungarian midwife gnes Gerb who has been jailed for supporting women giving birth at home. One of the home birth mothers supported by Ms Gerb decided to take a stand.

When pregnant with her second child, Anna Ternovsky took her country to the European Court of Human Rights and won a landmark case that has major implications for childbirth around the world. Toni Harman, one of the film-makers says, the Ternovsky vs Hungary ruling at the European Court of Human Rights in 2010 means that now in Europe, every birthing woman has the legal right to decide where and how she gives birth. And across the world, it means that if a woman feels like her Human Rights are being violated because her birth choices are not being fully supported, she could use the power of the law to protect those rights. With the release of Freedom For Birth, we hope millions of women become aware of their legal rights and so our film has the potential to spark a revolution in maternity care across the world. In fact, we are calling this the Mothers' Revolution.

Karen Guilliland, CEO of the New Zealand College of Midwives says that New Zealanders are likely to be shocked at the story told by Freedom For Birth. "We are one of the very few countries where pregnant women enjoy full rights as a person. " Karen recently spoke at the Human Rights in Childbirth Conference at the Hague, in the Netherlands and says that the international audience was inspired by our system. "Human rights seem like such a given in New Zealand but much of the world still does not meet the human rights expectations we take for granted. However, we should never take our maternity rights for granted and Freedom For Birth will encourage us to cherish and protect what we have."

Hermine Hayes-Klein, US lawyer and organiser of the recent Human Rights in Childbirth Conference at the Hague, the Netherlands says, Freedom For Birth holds the answer to changing the system. Birth will change when women realise they have a right to meaningful support for childbirth and claim that right. Birth will change when women stand up against the abuses that are currently suffered in such high numbers and say, No More. When asked why they are showing the film, the two Wellington mothers who are organising the local screening, Karen Gault and Vida Rye say, We want all women to be fully informed of their birth options and to be supported in their choice of how and where they give birth. We feel privileged to have birthed in a country that has a maternity system that, in the main, respects those choices. However, we feel that we cannot be complacent about what we have, we need to hold on to it for our children and their children, there are still improvements needed.

The local screening of Freedom For Birth will take place at the Penthouse Cinema, Brooklyn, Wellington at 8pm on Thursday 20th September 2012. The screening is to raise funds for the Birth Centre for Wellington project. To book your tickets http://www.birthhub.org/freedomforbirth or contact 04 589 7802. --

Additional Notes Additional information about Freedom For Birth can be found on the website: http://freedomforbirth.com

View original post here:
“Freedom For Birth” – Global Film Launch

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

REGISTRATION for the Cebu Press Freedom Fun Run on Sept. 22 is now open.

The fun run has two distances, 3K and 5K, and will be held at the Cebu Business Park. Gun start for both distances is at 6 a.m. at the area fronting the Cebu City Sports Club.

Check our new look and tell us what you think.

The fun run, sponsored by Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines Inc., with the support of Cebu Holdings Inc., is exclusive to members of the Cebu media. It is one of the highlights of the 18th Cebu Press Freedom Week on Sept. 16-22.

Registration is free. Forms are available at the newsrooms of Cebu Daily News (look for Raffy Escoton), The Freeman (Divine Ngujo) and Sun.Star Cebu (Hanz Llerin).

The top three finishers in the mens and womens categories in each distance will receive cash prizes and medals.

The race bib and running shirt will be distributed between 4:30 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. on Sept. 22, Saturday, at the Cebu City Sports Club.

Since the number of runners is limited to 250, only those who have registered and who show up on race day can claim their race pack. Registration is until Sept. 19, Wednesday, 5 p.m.

The Think Tankers, the group organizing the 100K series and the All-Women Ultra Marathon (Awum), is helping the convenors in the Cebu Press Freedom Fun Run. (PR)

Read the original post:
Press Freedom Run opens registration

Despite the threat of rain the sixth annual Paramus Freedom Walk was held without any problems, continuing the borough's annual tradition of honoring the victims of Sept. 11, 2001 and the nation's first responders.

PHOTOS/SCOTT GILROY

Paramus Freedom Walk Committee members lead the walk.

Event organizer Joey Rizzolo thanks the attendees and volunteers as Paramus Mayor Richard LaBarbiera looks on.

While smaller than last year's event, this year's walk was no less successful, according to Freedom Walk Committee founder and chair Joey Rizzolo, a Paramus High School Student. He estimated taht between 300 and 400 attendees came to the Paramus Library Bandshell for the event, and noted that they ran out of their 200 free t-shirts for participants well before the even began.

"It wasn't really about how many people were here, it was more about why they are here," Rizzolo said. "Everyone came out for the right cause, and it was a great day."

A moment of silence was held for all 2,977 victims who died in the attack, with special mention given to Paramus residents. Among the walk's special guests were members of the Navas and Pandolfo families, who each lost a family member on 9/11. "Paramus felt this loss close with the passing of seven members of our community," Rizzolo said.

The walk made a brief stop by Howland Memorial Grove, the park where seven plaques reside in the memory of each Paramus resident who died that day. Rizzolo and committee members placed flowers at each plaque as a tribute to the victims and their families.

After returning from the walk, participants were greeted by hamburgers and popcorn provided by the Boy Scouts and the Elk's Club.

Mayor Richard LaBarbiera commended the Freedom Walk Committee's "perseverance and hard work," citing them as the reason Paramus residents will never forget.

See the original post here:
Paramus Freedom Walk honors victims

11 September 2012 Last updated at 14:27 ET

US Open champion Andy Murray has been offered the freedom of Stirling after his grand slam victory.

Stirling Council has been in touch with Murray's management team to discuss an appropriate tribute to what it called "the local hero".

The 25-year-old from Dunblane, near Stirling, beat Serbia's Novak Djokovic in five sets.

Murray's mother Judy told BBC Scotland that watching her son's match in New York had been "absolute torture".

She said the "momentum" had been with Djokovic after Murray had lost a two-set lead.

"But at the start of the fifth I had a feeling," she said.

"I could see from Andy's face and his mannerisms that he wasn't going to let it get away from him and he did an incredible job.

"It was just an incredible experience and I'm so delighted for him that he's got his first Grand Slam at last."

Murray's triumph at Flushing Meadows followed his gold medal at the Olympics last month.

View post:
Murray offered freedom of city

September 10, 2012 - Frontier League (FL) Florence Freedom Sauget, IL-The Florence Freedom are heading to their first ever Frontier League championship series after a 7-0 win over the Gateway Grizzlies Monday night. The Freedom won the best of five series three games to two.

Peter Fatse had a career high six RBI's and starter Brad Allen pitched eight shutout innings.

Fatse hit a three run homerun in the first inning to give the Freedom a 3-0 lead. He also had an RBI single in the fourth which made it 4-0. Fatse then in the seventh drilled a two run double to deep right center as the Freedom led 7-0.

Allen allowed three hits and struck out seven while walking four. He improved his scoreless innings streak to twenty one straight with his shutout performance. He also improved to 5-0 with a .47 ERA as a starter.

The Freedom pitching staff threw fourteen straight scoreless innings against Gateway which started in the fifth inning of game four and carried through the duration of game five.

Jim Jacquot also homered for the victorious Freedom. Fatse ended the game going 3-4 with 6 RBI's. David Harris and Pierre LePage also collected two hits.

The Freedom will now host the Southern Illinois Miners in game one of a best of five championship series starting Wednesday night. LHP David Harden(1-0,0.00) gets the start for the Miners while the Florence starter is TBA. The game can be heard with Steve Jarnicki starting at 6:20 on Real Talk 1160 and realtalk1160.com.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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Freedom Will Play for First Ever Frontier League Championship