I propose to work on a central law dealing with information policy:
Draft:
The governmental obligation to inform the public (GO2IP)
A) Criteria
The governmental obligation to inform the public is triggered by relevant data:
1) if the source of data is governmental action itself [elections, transcripts, decision making…]
2) if available 3rd party data which is not protected matters to the actions of the citizens, the public servants or the community in general ["Dear fellows (2), the RA (1) approved Rosie and Sudane (3) to replace the Schloss" etc.]
3) if the data is indispensable or at least essential [Census, Constitution, Code of Law, Covenants…]
4) if the data enables individuals or organizations to suitably and extensively judge, pattern and influence their relation to each other or the government ["to challenge the list of candidates drop a notecard to the Dean until x" etc.]
while possible or necessary or statutorily regulated
- enforcement of rights and
- performance of obligations
should occupy the center stage.
B) Guiding Principles:
1) Enforcement of civil rights is dependent on programmatic instruction. The government must provide it.
2) Proportionality determines the extent of and exceptions from the obligation to inform the public. Individual case by case assessment will help to clarify the reasonable limits here.
3) Equal access to governmental data is evaluated by barrier-free availability to anyone, the usage of common data formats and comprehensible language.
4) Reliability: the government must ensure the availability of current, correct and complete basic supplies of information.
5) Assurance: while exercising the obligation to inform the public, the government must protect both personal data according to UDHR Art.12 (by withholding information) and freedom of expression according to UDHR Art.19 (by passing information on).
[reference: Tomas Poledna 2003 http://www.rechtsinformatik.ch/Tagungsb ... oledna.pdf]
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The entries in square brackets are a start to have categories of information we handle. Each needs a different approach. An example: the Notification Act deals with data of the category A4, in this light redrafted:
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Proposal to amend CDSL17-1
CDSL17-1 Citizen Notification Act
Changes of rules that Citizens are generally expected to comply with must be announced by a publicly accountable official or appointee of the government branch which adopts the change, provided those changes were decided on within the requirements of the constitution and prevailing law.
A formally valid announcement includes:
- A reference to the rule that has been changed
- An explanation why it was changed
- An exact description of the change
- A comparison of currently and prospectively expected compliance
- The deadline of the currently expected compliance to expire and the prospective expectation to become effective
- The names of persons authorized to help and advise in individual cases
1. The announcement must be published on the CDS forums, the CDS portal blog and via in world notices, the deadline must be added to the CDS event calendar.
2. Citizens will be given at least 30 calendar days notice of such changes. Shorter deadlines are undue. Notification is deemed to have been made as soon as the deadline expired and the change becomes effective.
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Critique, please 