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The Battle Over Teaching Chicago's Schools About Police Torture and Reparations

Peter C. Baker

February 07, 2019 |

Longreads |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

In response to the discovery that Chicago police officer Jon Burge led a "Midnight Crew" torturing mostly Black men to coerce criminal confessions, the city council's agreement to make cash reparations to the victims included a mandated curriculum in public schools to teach high school students the truth of what happened. Critics called the curriculum, "Reparations Won," anti-police propaganda. But a rare and lengthy observation of one class' experience showed its effects on youth. Not only did they learn the history, but they also learned the possibility of change in the face of systemic injustice.

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NewsGuard's 'real news' seal of approval helps spark change in fake news era

Kenneth Li

February 01, 2019 |

Reuters |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States

Credibility ratings of news websites by the startup NewsGuard have prompted more than 500 news organizations to upgrade their standards or improve their transparency. Human reviewers, instead of automated systems, grade news sites on nine journalistic criteria, such as whether the sites repeatedly publish fake news and whether they correct errors. Ratings, built into web browsers, warn users when sites have bad reputations for truthfulness and responsibility. Many publishers have sought better ratings by changing their practices.

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One Way To Deal With Cops Who Lie? Blacklist Them, Some DAs Say

Eli Hager Justin George

January 17, 2019 |

The Marshall Project |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, St. Louis, Missouri

Across the United States, district attorney’s are creating blacklists, or “do not call” lists, of police officers that have allegedly lied, abused their power, or have been corrupted. The purpose is to prevent untrustworthy sources from testifying in court, allowing city prosecutors to build stronger cases. While many police departments and unions have opposed such lists, calling them unfair and subjective, prosecutors and communities have supported their use as a response to police misconduct.

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Durham County Dismisses Hundreds of Traffic Fines as Part of a License Restoration Effort

Sarah Willets

January 15, 2019 |

INDY Week |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Durham, North Carolina

Durham County relieved hundreds of outstanding traffic fines in an effort to restore suspended driver's licenses. The program, called Durham Expungement and Restoration (DEAR), "identified more than 11,000 people eligible to have outstanding fines dropped" from charges resulting from court absence or inability to pay a traffic ticket.

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The Talent Show for Honest People

Tom Colls

January 15, 2019 |

BBC |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: Nepal, Kathmandu

In Kathmandu, Nepal, bureaucrats, and government officials gathered for a special type of talent show, Integrity Idol, which awards honest government workers. From petty bribes to large government contracts, corruption is pervasive in the mountainous country. Instead of naming and shaming, Accountability Lab puts on Integrity Idol competitions around the world for naming and faming, awarding integrity and anti-corruption efforts within government as a way to encourage and reward the behavior.

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How a Consultant Said He Gamed HUD Inspections: Sweep Problems Behind a Wall

Molly Parker Patrick Johnson

December 21, 2018 |

ProPublica |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Springfield, Massachusetts

Consultants have helped public housing pass safety and health inspections by covering up serious issues with temporary walls and cosmetic fixes. “The biggest reason why most properties don’t pass,” says one consultant, is “they just don’t understand how to play the game with the points.”

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Government data is transforming France

Anoush Darabi

November 26, 2018 |

Apolitical |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: France, Paris

In France, a digital transformation is taking place. To lay the groundwork, the country passed the Digital Republic Act in 2016, which mandated local and central government to publish documents and public data, a significant step toward transparency and open data. Government taskforce Etalab, which has attracted top tech talent, built on that foundation by launching data.gouv.fr, a portal that hosts over 40,000 public datasets, and other organizations have coordinated collaborative open data projects between cities.

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Reprogramming power: Audrey Tang is bringing hacker culture to the state

Anoush Darabi

October 18, 2018 |

Apolitical |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Taiwan

A community of technologists called g0v has produced open-source tools and redesigns of Taiwan’s public services. In collaboration with Digital Minister Audrey Tang, the group is helping citizens and civil society groups work with the government to improve services.

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How to make prisons more humane

Dylan Matthews Byrd Pinkerton

October 17, 2018 |

Vox |

Podcast |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Bismarck, North Dakota

A North Dakota prison looks to Norway's prison model that focuses on prisoner rehabilitation rather than punishment. By giving offenders responsibility, private space, and access to the outside world, these prisons have found lower rates of recidivism and more success with rehabilitation.

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"Integrity Idol"

Roxanne Patel Shepelavy

October 02, 2018 |

The Philadelphia Citizen |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Nepal

With support from Accountability Lab and Transparency International, seven countries have held “Integrity Idol” contests to recognize their most honest and helpful public servants. Winners have become people others want to emulate. The contests help fight corruption and inspire civic participation.

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