There are a lot of things that we take for granted: Freedom, for one.
We take for granted that government will always be open, that voting will always be a right and privilege, and that our courthouses and city halls will always have open meetings and open records for viewing.
That’s the way it’s supposed to be, but often politics and power have some dark sides. Often, there are things done behind closed doors that our government leaders would prefer that we not know about.
It never ends. In the legislature, in the courts, in the executive branch, you can always find government officials working diligently to block the public from getting information they need to know.
Just as everyone on earth is moving to texts, emails, Facebook messages and other electronic methods to communicate, it makes it easier to operate out of the public’s eye. Here’s a fact: “Transitory messages” are just as significant as any other government record.
We the public must make sure that everyone in government from the White House to the local courthouse understands that the public’s records belong to the public and should be retained in every case. Anything less undermines open and transparent government.
Amidst all that is going on this week — presidential primaries in Ohio and Florida with hundreds of convention delegates up for grabs and the NCAA basketball tournament — it is Sunshine Week, an event that deserves much but gets little attention.
Beginning today, newspapers nationwide will call attention to the idea that democracy works best when it is done in the “sunshine.” And by “sunshine,” we mean in public view, where everyone is able to see it.
Only because of open government do our newspaper reporters have the right to attend and report on meetings such as the Carter County Commission, the Elizabethton City Council, and local school boards. We also have the right to gather public records such as arrest reports and realty transfers, and to attend and report on trials. Should those rights cease to exist, most of us would be left in the dark.
Often, we think that government has little effect on our day-to-day life. But, almost every facet of our life is linked to government. We pay taxes to provide police and fire protections, schools, roads, sewer, and many parts of health care. Most of our elderly citizens live on the Social Security they earned over their long lives. Kids all over this nation attend public, government-operated schools. Our food is safe because of regulations. Even our health care, whether it be private insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid, is regulated by government, as are our hospitals and nursing homes.
Government touches almost every phase of our life, therefore, it is important that we know how our tax money is spent, how well our schools are doing, and if the police are going to respond when we call.
That’s where your local newspaper comes in.
Government is way too complicated and too large for any individual to track. Our central purpose is to inform you what your government, especially at the local level, is doing; what is going on in your child’s school; about a zoning change or a new business coming to town; and how your property taxes are being spent.
You may not be able to participate in every decision made by government, or attend every meeting, but if you are aware of what is going on, you can at least hold the government officials responsible.
Sunshine Week was born in Florida in 2002 to call attention to the concept of openness in government and to highlight obstacles often put up by governments to keep the public out of their deliberations or records. This is the 14th year Sunshine Week has been a nationwide observance.
Tennessee has been blessed with a state Constitution that provides a legal framework that in effect defaults to the concept of openness at all levels of government.
Even so, there remain officials at all levels — county commissioners and presidents alike — who have a natural desire to shield at least some of their activities or documents from public view. Maybe an action was illegal; maybe a document was embarrassing; or maybe a particular vote was simply unpopular.
It’s not complicated. America and freedom are not served when government activities or documents are kept out of the public eye.
That’s why news organizations — newspapers, television and radio — take the upcoming occasion to promote Sunshine Week. News reporters have no rights beyond those of the public, but they often do serve as the public’s eyes and ears.
And that’s why news organizations hope the public will join them in keeping the light shining on government at all levels.