Why the Fight for Open Government Matters

It started in February, under the banner headline, "Backroom Deals." The Knoxville (Tenn.) News Sentinel blew the lid off a plan to appoint 12 county commissioners behind closed doors.

These appointees, by the way, included current commissioners' family members, campaign staff, and even a convicted crack dealer. They're all gone now.

Spurred on by overwhelming reader support, the News Sentinel stuck with the story.

The newspaper's leadership knew that the commissioners had ignored the state's open meetings law — and that they had to stand up and do something about it.

So under the name of editor Jack McElroy, as required by the state law, the newspaper filed a lawsuit, to challenge the closure.

Months of reporting and a trial followed and, despite a complex charge to the jury, it took only four hours of deliberation to find in favor of open government. Three days later, the 12 appointees were ordered to be removed from office.

"Our hope is that this victory will be a source of support to reporters everywhere and a reminder to public officials that the desire of citizens for open government cannot be denied," said McElroy.

"The McElroy decision is important because you have a judge and a jury rejecting the latest argument elected officials have invented to keep voters and taxpayers from seeing how they conduct the public’s business," said Frank Gibson, executive director of the Tennessee Coalition for Open Government.

Read more from the News Sentinel.

Comments

[Linda]

We could sure use some sunshine up in Maine...

http://lancedutson.wordpress.com/2008/02/11/steve-rowe-aint-no-sunshine-here/