http://www.thepunch.com.au/author-bios/james-ricketson/ James Ricketson, screenwriter, producer, director, cameraman and sound recordist for documentary and drama. His feature film BLACKFELLAS received 4 AFI nominations (James won the script category) and was awarded a United Hations Peace Prize. His documentaries cover music, travel, the exploitation of children in third world countries and other diverse topics. en Copyright 2012 The Punch penberthyd@newsltd.com.au penberthyd@newsltd.com.au Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:40 +0000 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:40 +0000 Politics, opinion, world news, sports news, latest news, views, Barack Obama, Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard, Nathan Rees, Malcolm Turnbull, Peter Garrett, Barnaby Joyce, Australian, federal politics, opinion polls, election, The Punch, thepunch, punch ExpressionEngine 1.6.7 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 15 http://www.thepunch.com.au/images/punch-logo-rss.png http://www.thepunch.com.au/ 144 70 Politics, political opinion, world news, sports news and the latest news and views updated live, daily on The Punch - Australia's best conversation. Search The Punch keywords http://www.thepunch.com.au/search/ http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/we-need-to-know-whether-aid-is-helping-in-africa/ Want to know how Australia’s $4.836 billion in Australian overseas aid will be spent in 2011-12? Finding out is not easy of you are a journalist or documentary filmmaker and do not want to rely only on Department of Foreign Affairs press releases and what is to be found on the DFAT and AusAID websites. “I am committed to enhancing the transparency of our aid program,” writes Foreign Minister, Kevin Rudd on the DFAT website. “When people are able to access information, they are better able to hold those who are managing their money — whether AusAID, partner governments, or international organisations — to account.” Noble sentiments - but how does Rudd’s professed commitment to transparency and accountability stack up when it comes to providing media access to the aid programs on which this money is being spent? feedback@thepunch.com.au (James Ricketson) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/we-need-to-know-whether-aid-is-helping-in-africa/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/we-need-to-know-whether-aid-is-helping-in-africa/#item6415 Tue, 02 Aug 2011 19:40:30 +0000 James Ricketson | Author bios | The Punch http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/punch-does-australia-need-the-great-gatsby/ As film producers and Screen Australia bureaucrats argue about whether Baz Luhmann’s 3D remake of ‘The Great Gatsby’ is more worthy than other feature films to be financed in part by the Australian taxpayer, some questions are worthy of consideration. What will Australian taxpayers get for their $40 million contribution to the coffers of Warner Brothers - an American producer of film and television entertainment whose primary market is the United States? What will NSW taxpayers get for their contribution to Gatsby’s budget – a sum that the Keneally government tells us, with its customary lack of transparency and accountability, must be kept secret? feedback@thepunch.com.au (James Ricketson) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/punch-does-australia-need-the-great-gatsby/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/punch-does-australia-need-the-great-gatsby/#item5270 Fri, 04 Mar 2011 19:50:44 +0000 James Ricketson | Author bios | The Punch http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/when-should-images-of-children-be-put-on-the-net/ The boys and girls I was filming on the beach were mostly pre-teens. Where are you going to show it? a girl asked. ” On You Tube” I replied.  The kids screamed so loudly with delight the sound on my camera distorted. I didnt have permission from these kids parents to film them but it was not until the following day that it occurred to me that this might be a problem. feedback@thepunch.com.au (James Ricketson) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/when-should-images-of-children-be-put-on-the-net/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/when-should-images-of-children-be-put-on-the-net/#item2753 Wed, 31 Mar 2010 19:47:24 +0000 James Ricketson | Author bios | The Punch http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/transparency-policy-not-so-candid-in-practice/ Transparency’s all the rage these days. And accountability. Politicians and public servants promise lots of both. “Our commitment to transparency is evidenced by our actions,” Kristina Keneally declared in parliament in November 2009. With Kristina’s words ringing in my ears I approach a NSW government department with a request for an interview. “We value transparency”, its website declares, “the exchange of current and relevant information.” This will be easy, I think to myself. feedback@thepunch.com.au (James Ricketson) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/transparency-policy-not-so-candid-in-practice/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/transparency-policy-not-so-candid-in-practice/#item2653 Thu, 18 Mar 2010 05:45:53 +0000 James Ricketson | Author bios | The Punch