Openness

Unlock Government Transparency: Essential Guides to Mastering Openness Laws

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Madison, WI — In Wisconsin, the principles of governmental transparency and public access to official records are deeply rooted, yet the complexity of laws governing open meetings and records can be daunting for the average citizen. To address this, an increasing number of resources aim to help the public understand and navigate these laws effectively. As democratic institutions, transparency and accountability are fundamental, and states like Wisconsin have codified these principals in what are colloquially known as “sunshine” laws. These mandates require that government meetings, decisions, and records be available to the public, barring certain … Read more

Public Demand for Transparent Government Rises as Citizens Face Uphill Battle in Enforcing Openness

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Phoenix, Arizona – A nationwide review conducted by The Associated Press and CNHI News has uncovered a complex web of systems for resolving open government disputes across the United States. The findings, released during Sunshine Week, indicate that less than a third of states possess offices capable of compelling agencies to release documents or comply with open meetings requirements in response to residents’ complaints. In most states, the only recourse for individuals seeking to resolve complaints regarding the wrongful withholding of public records is to file expensive lawsuits. Alabama, for instance, only offers the option … Read more

Landmark Supreme Court Ruling Promotes Openness in Courtrooms: 40th Anniversary of Press-Enterprise I Celebrated

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RIVERSIDE, Calif. – The 40th anniversary of the landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Press-Enterprise I is approaching. The ruling, which affirmed the public’s right to observe jury selection during trials, set a high bar for closing courtrooms during the process. The decision, hailed as a victory for press freedom and public access to courtrooms, requires judges to limit closures and provide justification in case of appeals. In Press-Enterprise I, attorney Jim Ward represented The Press-Enterprise, a Riverside-based newspaper, before the Supreme Court in 1984. The case centered around the closure of the courtroom during … Read more