Sunshine Week recognizes importance of open government

Sunday marks an important day for those of us who want to see government officials held accountable for how tax dollars are spent, who ask questions about decisions made by those in public offices and have an interest in the rights of every American to know what our leaders are doing.

March 14-20 is recognized in Missouri and across the nation as Sunshine Week, an event that promotes open government.

It is recognized in connection with the March 16 birthday of James Madison. It was 230 years ago that Madison wrote the guarantee of a free press into the Bill of Rights.

More than two centuries of a free press are something for our nation to be proud of.

The Daily American Republic has been part of that tradition for more than 150 years.

The importance of open access to information is highlighted by some of the stories we’re working on now, such as a court battle between the city of Poplar Bluff and the Poplar Bluff Municipal Library over the title to the library’s Main Street building, and upcoming decisions regarding an entertainment district for downtown.

It can be easy for us to take for granted something that we’ve always had. Easy and dangerous.

You only have to look to two recent stories to see that.

In Hungary, government officials are working to crush the last sources of independent news coverage in the country, replacing a free press with nearly 500 government-run and government-owned media organizations. How often do you think government officials in Hungary field tough questions?

And in Myanmar, an Associated Press journalist was arrested while covering a protest against the military coup that ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. He faces three years in prison for his efforts.

So what can we do to maintain and strengthen our rights to an open government?

• If you are part of a civic group, you can organize local forums, sponsor essay contests or press elected officials to pass proclamations on the importance of open access.

• If you are an educator, you can use Sunshine Week to teach your students about how government transparency improves our lives and makes our communities stronger.

• If you are an elected official, you can pass a resolution supporting openness, introduce legislation improving public access or encourage training of government employees to ensure compliance with existing laws mandating open records and meetings.

• If you are a private citizen, you can write a letter to the editor or spread the word to friends through social media.

In our country’s current political climate, open access to government records is essential. There are those who don’t trust journalists and claim major bias, and that’s troubling.

But those claims come from both sides, meaning they will be doing their best to keep our elected officials — on both sides of the aisle — honest.

— The Daily American Republic