A national check on how The Associated Press and CNHI News deals with open records requests revealed that too often it took going to court to get the records that by law should have been easily accessible. Fewer that one third of states have authorities that can force government agencies to release public documents. The upshot is that citizens are discouraged in finding out about police procedures, politicians decisions and how public money gets spent. (The Associated Press, March 11, 2024, by Josh Kelety, Eric Scicchitano and Carson Gerber)
Ken Paulson for the Free Speech Center, March 11, 2024, writes in support of Sunshine Week and the importance of open government and a robust press. “Demand that the public’s business be done in public,” he urges. “Support local news media so they can be the watchdogs we need. Don’t settle for pandering and easy answers from those on the public payroll. And above all else, keep the light on.”