Newspaper Crowdsources 700,000-Page Investigation of MP Expenses

projector writes with an interesting project from the UK: "The Guardian are crowd-sourcing the investigation of 700,000 pages of UK MPs' expenses data. Readers are being invited to categorize each document, transcribe the handwritten expenses details into an online form and alert the newspaper if any claims merit further investigation. 'Some pages will be covering letters, or claim forms for office stationery. But somewhere in here is the receipt for a duck island. And who knows what else may turn up. If you find something which you think needs further attention, simply hit the button marked "investigate this!" and we'll take a closer look.'"

Comments

Re:I know this isn't the point....

[91degrees]

It's one of the more reputable newspapers in Britain. Has a moderate left wing stance and a well educated readership.

I cheated and RTFA.

[TapeCutter]

"Also, the Guardian's claim that there's a receipt for a duck-house in there is false, as that claim was rejected and no rejected claims have been released officially."

The Guardian doesn't make that claim, the summary does. The Gaurdian actually backs up your statement that it was rejected...

"...he admitted claiming £1,645 for a floating "duck island" in his garden...[snip]...a claim for a floating duck island designed to protect his ducks from foxes. This was rejected by the Commons authorities."