Cullman Times. March 9, 2024.

Editorial: Our right to know

Sunshine Week, the annual national observance highlighting government transparency, is taking place this week, through March 16.

This week serves as a reminder of the value of the freedom of the press and why it should matter to all of us. It also reminds us of the importance of the free press, and protecting the public’s right to know, particularly in today’s world where transparency is far too less of a norm within the walls of our government.

Media professionals remain under constant scrutiny and our press is often under attack by both the public and from those in charge of leading our government. While there are often walls set up to circumvent transparency and open government, we must continue fighting the good fight because the First Amendment protects our right to know what goes on and how we are governed. That should be held in high regard by all of us, not just those working in media.

It’s your government.

Our system of government was established with checks and balances for a reason, and media, as the Fourth Estate, plays an important role in that system. It is our responsibility to call out those who overstep their bounds and hide behind misinformation, half-truths and cover-ups. Otherwise, we would be like those other nations where the voice of the people is silenced, government is far from transparent, and decisions are masked from the general public.

Government transparency is not a partisan issue. Open government benefits all of us, regardless of political ideology or party affiliation.

The First Amendment protects our right to know whether there are burglaries in our neighborhoods or if a convicted sex offender lives down the street. It protects our right to know how our tax dollars are spent and gives us access to information on what type of business is going up next door to our property and our schools. It gives us access to information on the back door deals that some don’t want us to know about, and others choose to ignore.

The print edition of our paper includes names, phone numbers and email addresses for members of our governing bodies. We also publish meeting dates, times and agendas for city council, school board and county commission.

We hope you read our front page story last week, March 7, examining open records and transparency laws from state to state. This article is a collaboration between our company, CNHI News, and The Associated Press.

If not, please give it a read and know and understand the open records laws.

We must all be watchdogs.

END