Open Access News

News from the open access movement


Sunday, March 29, 2009

Will suppressing hazard info reduce hazards?

The US Federal Aviation Administration wants to stop providing OA to bird strike data.  The idea is that airports fearing bad publicity and loss of business would more readily report bird strikes if the information were not made public.  (Thanks to AirSafe.com and USA Today.)

More coverage.

Comment.  Maybe peanut butter companies would more readily report salmonella poisoning if the information were not made public.  Maybe chemical companies would more readily report toxic spills if the information were not made public.  Maybe cities would more readily report their crime rates if the information were not made public.   Maybe politicians would more readily report inappropriate gifts if the information were not made public.