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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 |

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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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'It's a revolution': Indian officials deliver public services at people's doorsteps

Amrit Dhillon

September 17, 2018 |

The Guardian |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: India, New Delhi

To reduce corruption, the Delhi government has begun delivering public services to residents’ doorsteps. Now it’s possible to get a driver license, marriage certificate, and more from the comfort of home—no long lines or bribes required.

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Kyrgyzstan wants transparency to curb corruption

Nicolas Zahn

September 11, 2018 |

GovInsider |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan is using technology to tackle corruption and reduce costs. The country is centralizing and digitizing government services with help from Estonia. It is also using biometrics in elections to reduce the chances of rigged ballots and build public trust.

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Drive Against Gerrymandering Finds New Life in Ballot Initiatives

Michael Wines

July 23, 2018 |

The New York Times |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

Public opinion is turning against gerrymandering faster than the Supreme Court. Five states are holding ballot measures on the issue spurred ahead by tens of thousands of citizen’s signatures, and political uncertainty is pushing legislators themselves to get behind apolitical redistricting commissions.

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