DVD - Closed Doors; Open Democracies?

"Closed Doors; Open Democracies?" DVD

Hosted at the National Press Club during Sunshine Week 2007, the 90-minute program titled "Closed Doors; Open Democracies?" focuses on access to government information, including the impact of government suppression and manipulation of scientific information on public health and safety - and accountability. The program starts with a lively discussion of the issues and end with ideas for action. The DVD is a great way to kick off discussions about open government in your community!

Speakers include:

Moderator: Ira Flatow, NPR's Science Friday

Panel 1 focuses on national issues. Speakers include:

• Timothy Donaghy, Scientific Integrity Analyst at the Union of Concerned Scientists, will give an overview of how "Secrecy Can Make You Sick" - how secrecy of and manipulation of science can hurt you and your community
  
• Rick Piltz, Director of Climate Science Watch, whistleblower who resigned from the U.S. Climate Change Science Program to protest Bush administration political manipulation.
  
• Susan Wood, Research Professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and former FDA official who quit over the delay of Plan B
  
• Jay Dyckman, Director of The Knowledge Project at the National Coalition Against Censorship, to discuss first amendment free speech issues and describe what you can do
  

Panel 2 focuses on state and local issues. Speakers include:

• Dorothy Biggs, former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) librarian, National Enforcement Investigations Center
  
• Rob Thompson, Public Interest Advocate, North Carolina Public Interest Research Group (NCPIRG)
  
• Mark Tapscott, Editorial Page editor of the Washington Examiner
  

• Pete Weitzel of the Coalition of Journalists for Open Government presents discoveries of a national audit to collect emergency response plans
  
• Gary Bass, Executive Director of OMB Watch, concludes with ideas on how you can get involved!