by Eric Newton
Each spring for 10 years now, a vast media conspiracy has rolled across the hills and plains of this nation. Journalists of every stripe – cartoonists to commentators to hard news reporters – have been in on it. And not just journalists, but politicians, educators and librarians, as well as members of nonprofits and civic groups.
[…]
Last month was open records month, but that doesn't mean you can't still go and view them.
In Iowa, most government records are open to the public.
For city records, you can go to the city clerk. Continue>>>
[…]
Read More… from Open records ensure transparency in government action
A panel of experts assembled to offer advice on transparency issues is not subject to the state's open meetings law. At least that's the opinion of Ann Butterworth, who heads the Comptroller's Office of Open Records Counsel.
She made the finding in response to an email activist Ken Jakes requested for more information about a recent teleconference held by the 14-member Advisory Committee on Open Government.
[…]
Read More… from Open meetings laws don’t apply to TN transparency panel
An open-government champion has sued the Pierce County Council for allegedly violating the state open public meetings law — another twist in the saga over the county’s controversial plan to build a $127 million government headquarters in Tacoma’s South End.
[…]
The North Carolina Open Government Coalition is hosting its annual Sunshine Day event on March 16 in Durham to bring awareness to public records and open meetings laws in the state.
The event will be held at the Durham Convention Center and feature a keynote speech by state Attorney General Roy Cooper.
[…]
Read More… from NC open government group hosting Sunshine Day event
At Thursday’s funeral in Columbia, it was noted that most South Carolinians did not know John Shurr. But they know a lot more about their state and local governments because of him.
[…]
Read More… from FOIA champion’s story makes case to improve law
The public's right to see government records is coming at an ever-increasing price, as authorities set fees and hourly charges that often prevent information from flowing.
Though some states have taken steps to limit the fees, many have not:
[…]
Read More… from Big bills to view public documents discourage public access
The New England First Amendment Coalition joined 54 civil rights and media organizations today to call for the reintroduction of the proposed federal Private Prison Information Act.
The legislation requires federal prisons managed by private contractors to disclose the same information under the Freedom of Information Act as publicly managed prisons. U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) introduced the legislation last year but it failed to garner enough support to become law.
[…]
A panel of experts assembled to offer advice on transparency issues is not subject to the state’s open meetings law. At least that’s the opinion of Ann Butterworth, who heads the Comptroller’s Office of Open Records Counsel.
She made the finding in response to an email activist Ken Jakes’ request for more information about a recent teleconference held by the 14-member Advisory Committee on Open Government.
[…]
Read More… from Open meetings laws don’t apply Tenn. transparency panel
Information regarding the routes of freight trains carrying petroleum belongs in the public record. The Feb. 24 editorial regarding recent derailments noted that neither railroad companies nor state regulators appear eager to release the details. Virginia officials disclosed the pertinent information only after receiving a request filed under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
The situation underscores the importance of the FOIA. It also suggests that government in its various manifestations fails to embrace the principles the FOIA promotes.
[…]
Read More… from Editorial: Officials should release info before request
