You have a right to know. Specifically, you have a right to know what your representative government is doing. Most importantly, you have a right to know about all government agencies, all public servants and all types of expenditures. Never forget that you have a right to know.

This week is Sunshine Week. Right now is a good time to remind yourself that you have a right to know.

Jon Fleischaker, lawyer for the Kentucky Press Association, puts it this way: access to information keeps the government accountable. Fleischaker also points out that laws governing open records and open meetings is not just for the benefit of the press. These laws allow the press to “keep the public better advised so they can make better decisions about what’s good and what’s bad.”

“The openness that’s required really helps accountability…it keeps the politicians cognizant of the fact that they work for us,” says Fleischaker.

And “us” is you.

Fleischaker also says the public “ought to expect that they can ask for records and it is the obligation of the agency to respond.”

The request ought to be in writing, but can be written in a less formal way. Reporters often write letters to government agencies specifying the request and including the law. But according to Fleischaker, it can be a much less formal written request. “People should not feel like they are imposing, it’s part of their job and responsibility to give out the information.”

You also have the right to attend meetings of public agencies, but maintaining open meetings is more difficult. “Meetings come and go and you can’t get them back. The difficulty to enforce your rights is greater, but people ought to feel comfortable protesting, and saying you can’t do this to me, and they ought to feel comfortable writing to complain,” says Fleischaker.

For more information on Sunshine Week.
From Fleischaker: “Democracy works when people know what is happening with their government and can judge what is happening. The only way that works is if they know what’s happening.”