The federal role in higher education has grown over the past two decades, and now a new administration has the opportunity to strengthen policies that support students and their colleges and universities. To help inform these decisions, the Urban Institute convened a bipartisan group of scholars and policy advisers to write a series of memos…

For some colleges and professors, classified research promises prestige and money. Powerhouses like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Johns Hopkins University have for decades run large classified laboratories. But most other universities either do not allow such research or conduct it quietly, and in small doses. The…

With academic journals, we think of the ethical aspects of the research contained in the articles rather than with the journal itself. However, journal editing has its own set of ethical concerns, which this article addresses. One is ensuring that the anonymity of institutions and participants, in research and the reporting of practice, is…

A decade ago, before the tech boom collapsed and the digital economy bubble burst, it seemed to some that issues surrounding information technology (IT) might be central to the politics of the early 21st century. But after September 11, 2001, with so much else on everyone's minds, "digital politics" seemed a boring sideshow. Technocrats,…

With the rise of the Internet and the debate over the National Information Infrastructure, Congress had an opportunity with the Telecommunications Act of 1996 to reassess communication policy in light of the information age. Instead, Congress passed a product of political compromise rather than political vision; it calls for deregulation without…

In order to ensure that the United States maintains an advanced information infrastructure, the Council on Competitiveness has started a project on the 21st century infrastructure. Participating in this project are the many different parties who are providing and using the infrastructure, including cable companies, regional Bell companies, long…

Examines the role of self-regulation in the establishment of an informational privacy policy. Discusses information technologies and changes in commerce; personal information in databases; demands for accountability; institutional and enforcement models; legislation; government failures; self-regulation and the individual; and potential problems…

Discusses implications of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, antiterrorism legislation that was passed after the September 11 attacks, regarding privacy issues. Highlights include information privacy; privacy and government, including increases in the surveillance powers of government; privacy and the private sector; and future possibilities. (Author/LRW)

Provides an overview and comparison of the historical trends in information policy-making and recent proposals for the information infrastructure in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, the European Union, and Canada. The role of the private sector, including transnational corporations, is also considered. (MES)

This paper describes how the Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa Te Rau Herenga O Aotearoa (LIANZA) has mobilized the library and information profession in New Zealand to present key messages to the new government which describe a vision of how an integrated National Information Strategy (NIS) will help the government to…

Presents an interview with Reed Hundt, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), who implemented the Education Task Force to coordinate the FCC's role in educational provisions of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. He asserts that writing clear rules for the communications sector will promote competition and ensure educational…

Asserts that the federal government should adopt a centralized governmental structure for the privacy protection of personal information and data. Discusses the roles of federal law, federal agencies, and the judiciary; the concept of information privacy; the impact of current technologies; and models of centralized government structures for…

The fifth interagency conference explored ways that changes in technology, coupled with efforts to reinvent government, are redefining the policy and implementation issues of providing public access to federal information. Five groups were established to address issues and to develop recommendations; each group was divided into two sessions. Ten…

Explores the extent of information technology (IT) adoption in Hong Kong, the perceived benefits of IT, and the problems encountered in adopting IT, based on a postal survey of 116 companies. Topics include government policy, previous studies, annual expenditures on IT, IT personnel, IT applications, software used, and problems. (Author/LRW)

Analyzes Singapore's information technology master plan in relation to its earlier national computer policy plans. Topics include global activities, economic development, implementation and use of information technology and services, and partnerships with industry and the public sector. (Author/LRW)