NSA whistleblower goes free

After the prosecution of National Security Agency whistleblower Thomas Drake collapsed from felony-level charges to a plea bargain for a misdemeanor, Drake was sentenced to one year probation and 240 hours of community service July 15.

Judge Richard D. Bennett criticized the Justice Department for dragging out its investigation of Drake for years before dropping the bulk of the charges just days before the trial was to begin.

For a detailed account of Drake’s sentencing, check out this New York Times article.

The Government Accountability Project has also published a transcript of Drake’s statement to the press following his sentencing.

British Columbia first provincial gov to start open-data site

The government of British Columbia made almost 2,500 datasets publicly available Tuesday when it launched its open-data website.

Although much of the information was already previously available, the website makes it easier to access, according to a Vancouver Sun article.

British Columbia has also adopted an open-data license that will allow programmers to use government information without fear of being sued.

The province will also start posting FOI-requested data online here after the requester has had a minimum of four days to review the information beforehand – a caveat that will let reporters cover stories before others can gain access to the data.

For more information on this open government initiative, see this article from the Globe and Mail.

– Morgan Watkins

Morgan Watkins is SPJ’s summer Pulliam/Kilgore Freedom of Information intern and a University of Florida student. Reach her by email (mwatkins@spj.org) or connect with her on Twitter (@morganwatkins26)

If you missed it, check out the May 22 episode of “60 Minutes,” which includes whistleblower Thomas Drake’s first-ever television interview.

Drake was indicted in April 2010 under the Espionage Act of 1917 for his actions when providing information to a Baltimore Sun reporter in 2007. The journalist later wrote a series on financial waste and other problematic practices in the National Security Agency, where Drake worked.

Drake will appear in court June 13 and faces up to 35 years in prison.

In Illinois, the legislature took another step toward shielding gun owners from certain records requests today when the Senate passed House Bill 3500 in a 42-1 vote. The bill, which passed the Illinois House in April, would amend the state Freedom of Information Act to protect the personal information of people who have received or applied for a Firearm Owners Identification Card, unless the records are part of a criminal investigation.

The bill now goes to Illinois Governor Pat Quinn.

– Morgan Watkins

Morgan Watkins is SPJ’s summer Pulliam/Kilgore Freedom of Information intern and a University of Florida student. Reach her by email (mwatkins@spj.org) or connect with her on Twitter (@morganwatkins26).