Publishers' Auxiliary/June 2010
Convene a discussion about press rights, and most people likely conjure up scenarios of editors and reporters at loggerheads with government officials over access to top-secret data. No doubt, that can be the case, especially on the national stage.
The reality, however, is that editors and reporters routinely are in the trenches seeking everyday information that local government otherwise wants to keep confidential. Consider these examples during this past year in Minnesota where media and citizens were thwarted in their attempts to gain access to government meetings and data.
* A city ignored two requests from a constituent seeking information on the purchase of a fire rescue truck. The same citizen filed a similar complaint against the city in 2008.
* A city refused to release its agenda in an electronic format.
* A school district stalled on a newspaper’s request for copies of an e-mail exchange involving the superintendent.
* A public utilities association denied a newspaper’s request for information presented by a private energy company.
* A county denied a request by a television station to view the rejected absentee ballots in the U.S. Senate race between Norm Coleman and Al Franken.
Reminding citizens and public officials about the public’s right of access to government information is the focus of “Sunshine Week: Your Right to Know,” which took place earlier this year. At its foundation, Sunshine Week underscores the importance of the free flow of information for an open, effective and accountable government.
Editors and reporters regularly represent the public’s collective eyes and ears. The bottom line is that public records are the friend of the people as well as the press. Access to public information provides a daily barometer and record of community decisions.
Gaining access is a neverending challenge. Indeed, newspapers year-round should weigh in on the importance of government transparency.
Government has legitimate justification to deliberate certain things in private, such as issues of national security. But it’s troubling and frightening to witness the increasing attempts to block access to government information or to conduct everyday public business behind closed doors.
Landfill siting may be controversial, but constituents will be more accepting of the process if a county board identifies potential locations from the start. The departure of a controversial department head may not be official until formally accepted, but a city council will do itself a favor by announcing the resignation as soon as it is submitted. The closing of an elementary school may not be on a school board’s agenda for a few weeks, but administration will win higher marks if it informs residents of its intentions when first put on the table.
Newspapers often are challenged as to why they stand firm on access to and publication of a variety of records. It’s much like the proverbial “if you give an inch, they’ll take a mile.” If the news media agree to one concession, all too often an individual or agency will try to stretch the rules. Soon laws are enacted with additional restrictions on what once was routinely public information – information that’s important to readers.
Newspapers will continue to stand firmly on the foundation that their communities – their readers - are best served by a full menu of public information rather than a selective serving.
