Category Archives: Freedom

(RNS) In this hyperpartisan era of American politics, international religious freedom has consistently been one aspect of American public policy that still enjoys strong bipartisan support and cooperation.

Indeed, the two of us, from widely differing political perspectives, stand united on two issues: the foundational principle of religious freedom as vital to Americas strategic interests and the need for the Senate to prioritize crucial diplomatic posts and expeditiously move to confirmation.

These two issues are important to bear in mind as the Senate Foreign Relations Committee holds its hearing Wednesday (Oct. 27) on the nomination of Rashad Hussain to be the ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom.

President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Tony Blinken have promised that religious freedom will remain a foreign policy priority for this administration as it has been for Republican and Democratic administrations since the passage of the International Religious Freedom Act in 1998.

RELATED: White House announces new religious affairs leaders, first Muslim religious freedom ambassador

But to realize that commitment effectively, strong leadership is required. Having worked with Hussain, an experienced diplomat who has long fought for religious freedom, we are confident that he will provide exactly that strong leadership.

In the history of this position, no ambassador has brought the breadth of policy knowledge that Hussain brings. His work at the White House, at the National Security Council, as a national security prosecutor at the Justice Department and in varying capacities in the State Department, including special envoy to the 57-state Organization of Islamic Cooperation, brings vast experience and knowledge to this vital role.

He has used that knowledge to help other policymakers see the integral relation of religious freedom to their work on human rights, the rule of law, national security, democracy building and conflict resolution.

Hussain has enormous credibility across a broad range of faith groups, built on years of leadership in efforts for religious freedom. His nomination has brought enthusiastic praise from groups ranging from the Southern Baptist Conventions Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and the Baptist World Alliance to the American Jewish Committee, the Anti-Defamation League and the Union for Reform Judaism, as well as widespread commendations from the Muslim community.

RELATED: Why the Senate must fast-track Bidens nominee on religious freedom

The appointment of a such an experienced and respected Muslim diplomat would send a powerful message of Americas pluralism. With the Uyghur, Rohingya and Indian Muslim communities in crisis, a skilled diplomat with deep respect in the Muslim community is an enormous advantage.

Meanwhile, Hussains long record of commitment to protecting Christian rights (which often face particular challenges in Muslim countries) and his record on speaking up for Jewish rights in the face of instances of antisemitism, whether it emanates from secular or religious sources, or from the right or left wing, is exemplary.

Among the religious leaders and governmental officials with whom we have dealt across the globe in our academic and advocacy work, so many know Hussain and respect him. The Senate should confirm Hussain as swiftly as possible. So much needs to be done and we rely on the Senate to perform its vital role in making that happen.

(Robert P. George is McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence and director of the James Madison Program in American Ideals and InstitutionsatPrinceton University.David Saperstein is a rabbi, attorney and former U.S. ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom. The views expressed in this commentary do not necessarily reflect those of Religion News Service.)

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Confirming Rashad Hussain would show that religious freedom is a cause that unites us - Religion News Service

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Although no one in America is forced to go to church, we have had more churchgoers in our history than any nation in the world. Religious liberty meaning we can chose any faith or none was a wild concept when the Founders decided to try it 250 years ago. But it has made America one of the most religious countries on the planet.

When Alexis de Tocqueville visited in1826 he was astonished to see freedom and faith working together. In his own France and in most of Europe the opposite was the case. Each nations established church was allied to the powerful state. Consequently faith was not free, which sent so many from that continent to America, seeking freedom of worship.

The American Revolution enabled us to create a nation that enshrined religious liberty in its laws. But the French Revolution did the opposite. The Jacobins saw the monarchy and the church as two parts of the same oppressive system. As they shouted their slogan of liberte, egalite, fraternite, they butchered priests, monks and nuns alongside monarchists and aristocrats.

REV. ROBERT SIRICO: POPE FRANCIS MAKES AN ENEMY OF THE POOR'S BEST FRIEND THE FREE MARKET

So it was Americas founders who uniquely understood that religious liberty was the key to all other liberties. Liberty or self-government required a virtuous people, which was usually the result of freely held faith. Those who answered to a "higher power" didnt need government to coerce them into doing the right thing. They did it on their own.

It was a tremendous historical gamble. But we can see nearly 250 years later that it worked, making America the wealthiest and freest nation that ever existed.

In recent years, however, America has lurched toward secularism. The idea of a "separation between church and state" was meant by the Founders to keep the state out of the business of the church, but it has been dramatically recast as a way of keep the state and culture virtually free of all religious influence.

Consequently we rarely celebrate the ideas that flow from faith as we once did. Virtue and honor and duty are no longer advocated in our public schools, and in most universities and in popular culture they are often mocked, along with religion itself.

But this retreat from faith has inevitably made us less free.

When we become less active in governing ourselves we look to the government for solutions. Government thereby grows and our abilities to govern ourselves quickly atrophy.

The Democrats in 2012 even chose to remove mention of God from their political platform, and their decades-long advocacy for big government has since grown into an embrace of socialist and culturally Marxist ideas, such as critical race theory.

If the people in a free nation abandon faith and virtuous behavior or even let it erode away slowly, the government will inevitably step into that vacuum.

For examples of where this trend eventually goes, we observe that governments where the state has overwhelming control over its citizenry do not merely lean away from God but become officially atheistic. The former Soviet Union and today China and North Korea are two chilling examples. In such countries those who believe in God become a direct threat to the governments power.

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Christians and Jews were especially brutally persecuted in the former Soviet Union. If your atheist worldview holds that these human beings are not sacred and created in Gods image, whats to stop you for torturing and murdering them for the "greater good" of the state? Uyghur Muslims in todays China are enslaved and often murdered for their organs, which fetch a very high price on the international market.

When Hitler and the Nazis forced their socialist atheist views on Germans,the Lutheran Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer knew that the church alone had the cultural and moral power to stand against it; but because his pleas to speak out and fight were largely met with indifference by a complacent church, 12 million human beings were murdered in death camps. Will the American church follow the German church and Germany in this, or will we learn from Bonhoeffers story?

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This, of course, is the great paradox of freedom. A free nation cannot force anyone to believe, or to be virtuous and self-governing. But if the people in a free nation abandon faith and virtuous behavior or even let it erode away slowly, the government will inevitably step into that vacuum and will grow to enforce its views with increasing brutality.

And while a free nation cannot and should not try to coerce atheists toward belief, people of faith, while we still have a voice, have an urgent duty to alert our fellow citizens that, although religious freedom protects atheists, atheism itself nonetheless has an inherent and alas well-established tendency to work not only against religious freedom, but against all freedoms. Let the reader understand.

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Eric Metaxas: Is atheism the enemy of freedom? Here's how retreating from faith makes US less free - Fox News

The University of Oregon has launched a new website to provide faculty guidance and resources related to academic freedom. Academic freedom enables faculty members to research and teach without fear of interference within established legal and ethical bounds.

The Academic Freedom site was created by the Office of the Provost as a resource for faculty members who may face questions, criticism or threats related to their research or teaching. With curated materials from across campus and other universities, the site contains easy-to-access links to relevant UO policies and safety resources, communications guidance, and publications addressing academic freedom. The Office of the Provost intends to update the site regularly and welcomes faculty suggestions for its improvement.

The University of Oregon encourages public engagement. The diffusion of knowledge beyond the academy for the benefit of society is a fundamental feature of the universitys mission, is the opening statement from the site. Academic freedom protects and encourages intellectual risk-taking, blue skies research, and innovative teaching, even when those pursuits arouse controversy. The discovery of new knowledge, which is often both of academic significance and societal benefit, and its dissemination must be unfettered.

While created as a practical guide for faculty members, the Office of the Provost hopes that the site will be seen as an expression of the Office of the Provosts unswerving dedication to and steadfast support for academic freedom.

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Academic freedom is the focus of a new provost office website - AroundtheO

Former Vice President Mike PenceMichael (Mike) Richard PencePence to deliver address on 'educational freedom' in Virginia Obama looks to give new momentum to McAuliffe The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Uber - Manchin, Sanders in budget feud; Biden still upbeat MORE will deliver an address on "educational freedom" in Loudoun County, Va., on Thursday, according to his political advocacy group Advancing American Freedom.

The speech is one of a number of policy addresses Pence will give across the country. The former vice president has already delivered two separate policy addresses on U.S.-China relations as well as law enforcement and public safety.

Pence's address in Loudoun County will come less than a week ahead of Virginia's gubernatorial election, which has largely been defined by education andparentalrights issues. GOP nominee Glenn Youngkin has usedparental rightsto go on the offensive against his Democratic opponent, Terry McAuliffe, zeroing in on comments McAuliffe made last month in which he said that he did not believe parents should tell teachers and schools what to teach.

Loudoun County, in particular, has become the epicenter of conservative protests against school boards on issuessuch as critical race theory and transgenderpolicies in the classroom. Concerns have also been voiced over sexually explicit content in learning material. Last week, Youngkin called for an investigation into the handling of two sexual assault allegations in two Loudoun County schools this year.

Republicans and conservatives believe the issue is enough to fire up their voters in Virginia as well as peel off independent voters.

Pence has spoken out about education-related issues in the past, including critical race theory. Earlier this year, Pence referred to critical race theory as "state-sanctioned racism."

Critical race theory teaches children as young as kindergarten to be ashamed of their skin color. It represents a full-throated assault aimed at the heart of the American experiment, Pence said during an address at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.

It is nothing short of state-sponsored and state-sanctioned racism. Our party must ensure that critical race theory is expelled from our schools, our military, and our public institutions, he continued.

Democrats have dismissed the conservative outcry over the issues as "a dog whistle" and have said the outrage has been drummed up by Republican operatives.

Critical race theory was developed in the 1970s and 1980s by a number of American legal scholars who argued racism is rooted in the nations founding and that systemic racism continues to have a negative impact on the opportunities and treatment of people of color at all levels of society today.

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Pence to deliver address on 'educational freedom' in Virginia | TheHill - The Hill

The Festival DAvion, a two-day celebration of freedom and flight that honors the men and women of the U.S. military, returns to the Moore County Airport on Oct. 29-30.

Aircraft enthusiasts and kids of all ages will have the opportunity to get up close to vintage and modern aircraft from the 1940s to the present, along with the ability to see modern military aircraft and meet members of the armed forces.

"We are blessed to have numerous military installations scattered across the state of North Carolina, including nearby Fort Bragg, that help keep all of us safe here and abroad, said Peter Stilwell, who founded Tarheel Festivals LLC, the parent company of the Festival DAvion and Pinehurst Barbecue Festival, along with David Droschak.

Its truly a humbling experience to be able to honor these heroic individuals in a family-friendly environment.

This weekends Festival DAvion experiences include:

Displays of vintage and modern aircraft

A "classic car corral" with vintage autos, fire engines and police vehicles

Performances by Eagles tribute band On The Border, local band The Shoppe Girls and the 82nd Airborne Division All American Chorus

A Runway 5k, presented by RIOT

Precision skydiving demonstrations organized by the Children of Fallen Heroes organization, performances by the Bandit Flight Team and an appearance by the Golden Knights

Paid helicopter and plane tours

Kids activities including inflatables, a trunk-or-treat and costume contest, carnival games and prizes

A variety of food and beverage options will be available from area and regional food trucks, craft beer breweries, North Carolina wineries and vendors.

Tickets start at $15. Options include admission to a Friday night concert, Saturday's festivities, or discounted access to both. Kids 12 and under are admitted free with a paying adult, and military discounts are also available.

Registration for the Runway 5k run/walk is $35 and includes festival admission. Trophies will be awarded for the top first overall male and female winner, and medals will be awarded for the top winners in each age category. Commemorative Festival DAvion coins will be provided for all participants.

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Celebration of Freedom and Flight Returns | News | thepilot.com - Southern Pines Pilot

Good morning! Yesterday I felt like D.C. United had a long time between games, because instead of less than 72 hours between kickoffs, it was an incredible over 90 hours between kickoffs! Can you imagine? What an absurdly long amount of time between games! Might as well be one whole year.

Ha, just kidding, it has actually once again been not enough time, the schedule will devour us all. Heres the injury update:

Its not great, but if Andy Najar and Paul Arriola end up on the positive side of that TBD, Uniteds suddenly much more formidable going forward. Heres hoping for good news at roughly 6:35pm tomorrow.

Washington Spirit training at local high school amid dispute with D.C. United over facility use | The AthleticThings are in flux for the Washington Spirit at the moment, and that includes where training has taken place all year (there are at least six places theyve trained this year that I have knowledge of, and Pablo Maurers report here mentions Audi Field, which would take the figure up to seven). Negotiations are ongoing on how much it would cost them to move in at Uniteds training facility, but that would be complicated by the ownership situation still being worked out.

There are a lot of details in here, including changed dynamics in the Spirit front office, so read up.

Onto less ambiguous news:

Kumi Yokoyama proposed to their partner at Audi Field yesterday, which is just tremendous. Congrats to them both!

Rodolfo Pizarro could soon be leaving Inter Miami | 90minOur old friend Lizzy Becherano is reporting that Rodolfo Pizarros reps met with Inter Miami recently. Miami certainly has to do something to sort out what is fundamentally a broken roster that will be hemmed in by their years-long punishment for violating MLS rules.

Kansas City NWSL and Port KC Finalize Plans for First NWSL Purpose-Built Stadium at Kansas City Riverfront | KCwoso.comThis is flat-out huge NWSL news breaking this morning: Kansas City NWSL announced plans to build a privately-funded downtown stadium for themselves. Since we already discussed NWSL training facilities, its worth noting that KC already has plans underway on that front.

Kassouf: Angel Citys ticket-revenue share with players is simple and smart | Equalizer SoccerSpeaking of breaking new ground, heres an explainer on how Angel City FCs plan to share 1% of ticket revenue with its players will work.

Alright, time for breakfast. Stay dry out there!

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Tuesday Freedom Kicks: Spirit negotiating training site with D.C. United, and more - Black And Red United

By Rep. ANITA BURROUGHS, D-Glen

Most people want freedom, less regulation, and less government interference with their lives. What may come as a surprise to many is that anti-masking, anti-vaccine school protests across the state and the country are not as spontaneous as they seem.

The Washington Post has reported that the Koch political machine, Americans for Prosperity along with other conservative-leaning organizations are fueling and funding these protests in the deeper goal of creating an effective smokescreen for what the Free State and Liberty Republicans are really all about.

In New Hampshire, these organizations are pouring money into NH legislative races with remarkable effectiveness and success.Two political action committees (PACs) Make Liberty Win and Americans for Prosperity together dumped $1.4 million into legislative races in New Hampshire in 2020 alone.

In 2020, Make Liberty Win endorsed 79 NH House candidates. The organization distributed between $4,933 and $10,403 to 30 candidates. The list of these candidates matches those promoted by the NH Liberty Alliance, which promotes the election of state legislators who want to shrink the authority of government at all levels while enhancing individual freedom. They are closely aligned with the Free State Project, which recruits out-of-state individuals from the far right of the political spectrum and now boasts 45 members of the NH legislature.

New Hampshire voters need to wake up to the fact that the leadership of the NH legislature and the traditionally moderate Republican Party as a whole is firmly in the control of extremists who want government and its democratic balances of power to be systematically dismantled. Do you believe this is an exaggeration? Jason Osborne, the House Majority leader is a Free Stater (or Liberty Republicans as they are also called) calls the shots in the statehouse. Four out of the six Republicans that make up the House leadership team identify as Liberty Republicans; 10 out of 22 committee chairs also affiliate with this group. The media reports that as many as 53 NH state legislators identify as Liberty Republicans.

All Republicans (whether moderate or right-wing) are told to vote for bills that disrupt public school funding, diminish womens rights, and defund public health measures designed to protect the public to name a few. Even Governor Chris Sununu asserted that the Libertarians are not Republicans stating, they are their own party.

Republican House members who do not tow the line are threatened with the loss of their committee chairmanships and seats and losing their seats altogether in the 2022 elections.

Public education funding is in jeopardy from programs such as the Education Freedom Accounts which enables homeschooling with little accountability for parents who choose to teach their children at home. The Granite State may soon be labeled as Little Texas for its restrictive reproductive rights legislation. And as we recently saw, the Executive Council decided to forgo $27 million in funding to help our state to bring down the alarming pockets of COVID. Governor Chris Sununu stated that this action was a total disservice to the constituents we serve. Im starting to think that the governor now wishes he had an Executive Council led by moderates of both parties.

Make no mistake, the new Liberty Republicans and Free Staters are not on your side.

They are funded by powerful corporations such as Koch Industries whose sole goal is to redistribute wealth back from the middle class and poor to the ultrarich.

The freedom rhetoric on the surface is but a smokescreen for the real motive to deregulate American industries in order to finally put to an end any semblance of a level playing field.

Next time you are drawn to the attractive rhetoric of no mandates and less government, play the game of follow the money and see whose piper the former President Trump and the Liberty Republicans/Free States really dance to. Then talk with moderate Democrats and Republicans who are truly the ones fighting to preserve democratic institutions and the balance of powers that protect your freedoms.

In the next election, dont determine who to vote for based upon whether they are a Democrat or Republican. Vote for moderates from both sides of the aisle so that you can stop this malignant growth within our state and protect our way of life.

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Op-Ed: 'Think it's about Freedom? Follow the Money' - InDepthNH.org

When you eliminate people from making contributions to conversations because you disagree with their point of view, you are erasing the individuality that makes each person unique. There is a gross systemic problem rooted deep with liberal media to suppress conservative voices.

In the book 1984, by George Orwell there is a quote that perfectly fits this situation Dont you see that the whole aim of Newspeak is to narrow the range of thought? In the end we shall make thoughtcrime literally impossible, because there will be no words in which to express it.

Newspeak is a language that exists in the fictional world of 1984, simplifying language and restricting it so that those in power can control a persons expressionality. Thoughtcrime is the problem of individuals thinking incorrectly and the governments way of punishing them for their mistakes.

Although this world and language created by Orwell is fictional, many can draw parallels to current political circumstances.

The media often claims that there is no bias within telling news, which is absurd, considering that there is extreme negativity pointed towards one view, and assumptions made with no factual objectivity considering the opposite view.

When you choose to only present news on issues that are more liberal, giving no voice to conservative oneshow can you say that you arent biased?

How can you say you arent biased when assumptions are made to the extent of benefiting the liberal party? These assumptions are critically eradicated from those that present the opposite views. Not only is there a need for information for both perspectives, there is a desire from major media outlets, such as CNN, ABC, NBC, The New York Times, and HuffPost, to ostracize and condemn anyone that disagrees with them.

What generates from this type of rhetoric presented in the media creates a situation for conservatives to censor themselves or to be punished. Punishment is different in all situations, except a commonality of harsh treatment is involved in each faucet.

This often takes the form of cancellation. Cancelling means taking the livelihood of an individual simply because you disagree with their framework, the disagreement with how they see political ideology.

Im not saying that you have to agree with what is presented, all I am saying is that I should be able to state what I believe unapologetically. I shouldnt have to be afraid of losing what I have worked for, just for having an opinion that disagrees with the majority.

Limiting freedom of expression is what totalitarians do, in reality, what people do not see is that the people in power (media) are in control. They say neutrality, but in reality someone always has power.

Limit the voices although implicit, because no one will state it explicitly, takes your view and superimposes it on mine. In the end you remain in power, what youre saying is that only my voice matters.

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OPINION: Censorship is the elimination of freedom of expression - Wichita State Sunflower

All of human history shows us that a disarmed populace is a vulnerable populace. Vulnerable to tyrants. Vulnerable to criminals.

Human history also shows us that an armed populace is a free populace.

None of this is theory. It is a documented, empirical, undeniable fact.

And yet, politicians, the media and the super elite in Hollywood and business, are all working together to hide that fact. More to the point, theyre working to manufacture the deceitful perception that legal gun ownership is something to fear, loathe and eliminate.

Thats why when a bad guy commits a crime with a gun, the story is amplified nationwide, along with all the familiar soundbites blaming you, me and the NRA. We never hear about how the bad guy dodged prison for previous crimes because of an insane revolving-door justice system. We never hear about how law enforcement refused to prosecute him when they had the chance.

And we rarely ever hear when good people use firearms to save their lives or the lives of their loved ones. Those stories are buried, if theyre even reported, all with the express purpose of creating the false impression that guns are rarely, if ever, used for good.

Just read the stories below and tick off how many you remember hearing about on the nightly news, or reading about in a major daily paper.

In Syracuse, N.Y., a man was on the street waving a gun, threatening people and firing into a crowd. Thankfully, a law-abiding concealed-carry permit holder was on the scene. He drew his 9 mm pistol and, according to the countys district attorney, saved the lives of several individuals.

This past August, four masked thugs kicked in the front door of a Phoenix, Ariz., homeowner. But the homeowner retrieved his handgun and fired multiple shots at the attackers, sending them fleeing into the night.

In Weatherford, Texas, a 67-year-old woman came home one day to find a strange car in her driveway. She found two men who had broken into an outbuilding on her property. She drew her firearm and held the two intruders at gunpoint until police arrived to take them into custody.

In Lake City, Fla., a violent criminal armed with a shotgun tried to break into a home with children inside. The homeowner, a law-abiding gun owner, shot the intruder twice and sent him running. Deputies found the criminal later, took him to the hospital and charged him with attempted home invasion robbery and aggravated assault with a firearm, among other charges. People have a right to protect themselves, said Sheriff Mark Hunter, I am glad that this resident was prepared to defend their home and family.

In San Antonio, Texas, a homeowner was awakened to a man trying to break into his home. The homeowner confronted the intruder, shot and wounded him, and waited for the police to come arrest the perpetrator.

In Woodbridge, Va., a 44-year-old woman was leaving her house when a masked man with a handgun accosted her from the side of her home. A concealed-carry permit holder, the woman drew her firearm and shot her attacker, likely saving her life.

In Miami, Okla., a man was awakened when a thug broke into his home through a bedroom window. The homeowner grabbed his shotgun, confronted the intruder in the living room and fired once, killing him. As it turns out, the intruder had been released from prison just a few days earlier and had a long, criminal rap sheet that included assault, battery, theft and child abuse.

These stories, of course, are only the tip of the iceberg.

The fact is, nearly every major study shows that Americans use firearms to defend themselves, their families and their fellow citizens anywhere from 500,000 to 3,000,000 times a year. The exact number is nearly impossible to pin down, because an untold number of defensive-gun uses go unreported, either by the media or by the victims.

Anti-gun politicians know these statistics. They know the facts. They just dont care.

Theyd rather trade the truth for political power and campaign contributions from anti-gun billionaires. But make no mistake about it: When they say you shouldnt be allowed to own guns, and when they rail against NRA and the Second Amendment, what theyre really saying is your life doesnt matter and isnt worth protecting.

There is simply no freedom without the freedom to defend yourself with a firearm.

As NRA members, this is why we fight.

Link:

Standing Guard | There Is No Freedom Without The Freedom To Defend Yourself - America's 1st Freedom

British Columbias ruling NDP marked their one-year anniversary as a majority government this month by taking the opportunity to remind the public of their achievements since freeing themselves from the need to rely on the support of the B.C. Greens to run the show, as the New Democrats did when they were still a minority.

Working together, weve made a real positive difference in peoples lives, but there is still much more to do, Premier John Horgan said via a press release last week that boasted some of the NDPs recent accomplishments, including: providing financial assistance to constituents during the pandemic, lowering drivers insurance rates, and bringing in an emergency rent freeze, which will expire at the end of this year.

But one of the things apparently on Horgans to-do list is undermining democracy and his owns partys legacy.

New legislation tabled by the government earlier this month, Bill 22, would overhaul the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) by introducing fees for freedom of information (FOI) requests. The bill would also overrule the independent privacy commissioner, exempt the contents of politicians smartphones and other electronic devices from the public record, make it easier to ignore certain requests, and allow for B.C. residents personal information to be stored on servers outside the province.

The proposed fee would be modest at a suggested $25, according to Citizens Services Minister Lisa Beare. B.C. is currently one of seven provinces or territories that provide FOI services for free; Ontario charges a decidedly moremodest $5 per application while Alberta and Nunavut each charge $25.

The out-of-the-blue bill is all the more bizarre given that an all-party legislature committee was struck five months ago to study the current law and make recommendations and has barely started its work yet.

FIPPA was brought in by former NDP premier Mike Harcourts government, with strong support from the B.C. Liberals, who were the Opposition at the time. It was considered the most advanced FOI legislation in Canada when it took effect in 1993.

The act which covers provincial ministries, crown corporations, agencies, commissions and boards was designed to give the people the ability to access data rarely found in the prepared statements of politicians or corporate PR specialists. As the name suggests, it also safeguards individual privacy rights by prohibiting the unauthorized collection, use or disclosure of personal information by public bodies.

The proposed new fees wouldnt apply to those seeking their own personal information, meaning the hoi polloi could still file FOI requests without being out-of-pocket if it pertains to their own records.

Backlash to Bill 22 has been fast and furious from academics, cash-strapped media outlets, non-profit organizations,and opposition parties, which led to a strange moment at a press conference last Thursday where a defensive Horgan brandished his phone in an attempt to convince skeptics there was nothing nefarious about a government making it harder for its citizens to access information.

I dont know if you want to zoom in on that, thats my telephone screen, Horgan told reporters. Youll see from that that I play Scrabble; I have Spotify; I check my heart rate; I know what the weathers going to be like in Prince Rupert; and I have email; I have text messages; and I have a telephone; and a host of other things that I dont even know what they are.

The province claims it typically deals with more than 10,000 FOI requests per year, the vast majority are made by the Liberals on dirt-seeking fishing expeditions, which is exactly how how the NDP operated while on the other side of the aisle.

There are probably plenty of people whod be interested in whats on the premiers phone, but CTV reporter Jon Woodward quickly discovered the only request for a screenshot from an elected officials phone was back in 2017 regarding former Nelson-Creston NDP MLA Michelle Mungalls travel expenses. The fact that it took four years to processsums up everything that is wrong with the current system, and its hard to imagine how putting up new financial obstacles will improve anything.

We are living in a time when people are seeking more answers, and greater accountability, from public bodies and their governments, amplifying the significant role that freedom of information plays in allowing people to get information about what their governments are doing, and the decisions that affect them, wrote Michael McEvoy, the provinces Information and Privacy Commissioner, in aletter to Beare. To add another barrier of access at a time when transparency is critical is deeply troubling.

Along with the Liberals, one of the biggest users of the system is independent journalist Bob Mackin, who has a reputation for filing more FOIs before breakfast than most reporters do in an entire year. (Full disclosure: Ive worked in newsrooms where he was a regular contributor, including the now-defunctVancouver Courierand24 Hours.)

Mackin was responsible for a whopping total of 397 provincial FOI requests in the past year, 69 more than the rest of B.C. journalists put together, and theres a perception in media circles hes being made a scapegoat for FOI overreach with some of his more frivolous requests, such as wanting to know how much the bill was at a White Spot restaurant in Coquitlam for Horgans tte--ttewith Justin Trudeau on the campaign trail last summer.

But Mackin also regularly scoresserious scoops with his relentless FOI filings, including, for example, the recent discovery that were not allowed to know who nominated Dr. Bonnie Henry, the provinces provincial health officer in charge of overseeing the provinces COVID-19 response, to receive to Order of British Columbia. While its perhaps unsurprising she is among the 16 recipients to receive the award out of 257 nominations, its downright baffling as to why the government thought it was necessary to redact the name of the person who nominated her back in April 2020, when the plague was still in its early throes.

Dr. Henry has received plenty of criticism for her handling of the pandemic, including this past spring when it was revealed the government had been withholding information regarding transmission at individual community levels and its worth noting this was revealed via an anonymous whistleblower rather than what would likely have been a censored (or ignored) FOI request.

The days of reporters being able to simply call up a government official for a straight answer are long gone, with even simple questions or interview requests now being routed through a byzantine network of uncommunicative communication specialists. Routine FOI requests typically take months or even years to come through and are often heavily and needlessly censored, but if the provincial government wants to cut down on the number of time-consuming requests it receives, its hardly a secret the obvious solution would be to make as much data and information as publicly available as possible.

READ MORE: War in the Woods 2.0 stays frosty with injunctions return

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BC moves to take the 'free' out of Freedom of Information - iPolitics.ca