"Sunshine Sunday" US Govt not releasing records....fighting back

[Viva_La_Revolution]

http://www.sptimes.com/2005/03/13/Opinion/Sunshine_Sunday.shtml

Sunshine Sunday
Transparency in government is vital to preventing abuses of power, but the Legislature continues to try to put more information out of the public's reach.
A Times Editorial
Published March 13, 2005

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Open government isn't just an essential tool for journalists. It is the way the public holds government accountable - uncovering wrongdoing and acting as a check against the abuse of power. Citizens have a right to know what their elected leaders are doing with the power entrusted to them, whether they are using it to advance the public interest or special interests.

Without laws protecting the public's access to government records, we wouldn't know how much politicians are spending to build a road or what company won the contract. We wouldn't be told how much the chief of police makes or how often excessive force is used by his department. It is when government operates in secret that violations of the public trust are most likely to occur.

Since 2002, newspaper editorial pages across the state have banded together in an annual "Sunshine Sunday" to remind readers of the vital function served by transparency in government. This year, "Sunshine Sunday" has gone national. Newspapers, broadcasters and other media across the nation will spend this entire week speaking to the need to keep government records accessible and meetings open.

more at link

*****

SunshineWeek.org
http://www.sunshineweek.org/

BlogShine Sunday is today
http://freeculture.org/blog/index.php?p=126


We are the New Media.

[Demit]

1. I wasn't aware of this, thanks! Good to know there are good guys left

I clicked on the first link and learned:

"The idea for a national Sunshine Week was sparked at an American Society of Newspaper Editors meeting. Having witnessed the success of Sunshine Sunday events, first in Florida and then around the nation, the editors' group knew it was time for something bigger."

I suspect there are newspaper folks who still believe in the old journalistic ideals, and it's heartening to hear them come out for those ideals.

[displacedtexan]

2. I bogged about this today.

I urged readers (I actually have readers) to demand local governments do a better job posting agendae and detailed minutes of council/commission meetings.

The link to my blog is under the burning bush.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

4. LOL! thanks for spreading the word!

from your site..

snip>

"Hiding behind a traditional process gives too much power to local governments.

You don't still believe that your local government always has your best interests at heart, do you?

Tradition be damned, damn it!

THUS ENDETH TODAY'S SERMON.

Go forth and question everything.

And I mean it, damn it!"

end>


Excellent

[Judi Lynn]

3. Thanks a lot for posting this. Had NO IDEA this was going on.

Maybe there's hope for a return to a healthy, conscientious press, after all, one day.

I sent your info. to someone at a newspaper as soon as I saw it. Wouldn't it be amazing to see freedom actually returning to our country through an enlightened public? Don't hold your breath, but it could happen...... maybe.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

5. 1 down, 3000 to go...

I just sent my son to the store for the Sunday papers.

If they aren't part of this, I will be writing LTTEs for the rest of the day!

[Viva_La_Revolution]

6. kick for the night crew...

and wonder of all wonders, the whole first page of the commentary section of the Oregonian deals with not releasing public info, and freedom of speech.