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