Sunshine Week Panel
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What is Sunshine Week? Started by newspaper editors in Florida in 2002 Went nationwide in 2005 Highlights the importance of open government Non-partisan; liberals and conservatives support it Not just news media: civic groups, libraries, schools, non-profits, government Public Opinion of Govt. Secrecy 100% Very Open 80% Somewhat Open 60% 40% Somewhat Secretive 20% Very Secretive 0% Federal State Local Source: Scripps Howard News Service; Scripps Survey Research Center, Ohio Univ.; March 2007 Why do an information audit? Examine “real” experience of what happens in a public information request Not “gotcha” journalism Uncover need for reform or training where needed Accolades where earned Remind officials about the public’s right to know How is an audit done? Reporters or citizens ask for the same public record from different communities/offices Do not reveal request is for an audit or made by the media; skews results BUT: Auditors should never lie if pressed Results are tallied for reports on compliance The Sunshine Week 2007 National Information Audit Auditors went to LEPC offices and asked for Comprehensive Emergency Response Plan EPCRA requires this to be a public document Title II allows for withholding sensitive information Auditors found suspicion, confusion and, sometimes, compliance The National Audit Results 200 404 audits in 37 states and Puerto Rico 160 44% provided in full 120 36% denied 20% provided in part 80 31% available in some 40 electronic format; 12% accessible on the Internet 0 55% were asked why they Plans Provided (177) wanted the information Plans Denied (145) 61% asked who they Plans Provided in Part (82) were; 8% had to show ID How the Six Regions Fared New England Mid Atlantic South 50 30 60 40 50 30 20 40 30 20 10 20 10 10 0 0 0 Midwest West Far West 20 50 20 40 30 10 10 20 10 0 0 0 Plans Provided Plans Denied Plans Provided in Part Count y emplo yees to ld to be “on ale rt” for “ weirdo” Fees as high as $1,700 Warning e-mails sent around counties, states Requ estors watched , follo wed by police Criminal background checks run on requestors Office s unst affed, ca lls unre Requestors told they “don’t look like terrorists” turned Officials don’t know about the plan, where it’s kept or who to ask YET …. …Compliance ““WeWe needneed moremore awarenessawareness onon whatwhat toto dodo duringduring anan incidentincident forfor thethe safetysafety ofof everyone.everyone.”” public records Payment refused for copies of Large reports provided on computer disc Emerge ncy offi cials dem onstrat e how to find plan s online Requestors invited to call with questions Emergency agency officials familiar with openness requirements Entire plans posted on government Web sites Channel 10 News, San Diego AnAn FBI FBI agent agent visited visited this this reporter’s reporter’s home home during during working working hours hours and and questioned questioned neighbors.neighbors. After After visit visitvisitinginging a a second second day, day, he he lef lefleftt this his business business card card at at this this reporter’s reporter’s door. door. InIn a a telephone telephone conversat conversation,ion, th thee agent agent sai saidd he he wanted wanted to to schedule schedule an an in-person in-person interviewinterview to to d discussiscuss the the requests. requests. HeHe agreed agreed that that was was not not needed needed after after receiving receiving several several calls calls f rfroomm American-StatesmanAmerican-Statesman editors. editors. .