-Isms: Views on life in rural America

Typically, at the end of the legal notices that run in the paper, I add the phrase, "The public has the right to know."

You do.

The premise is etched into our statehouse's north wall, "The Salvation of the State is Watchfulness in the Citizen."

Now, more than ever, you should educate yourselves on the ins and outs of freedom of information laws. Now, more than ever, there's a need for citizens to become involved.

This is Sunshine Week, a time to highlight the necessity of open government. In Nebraska, Neb. Rev. Stat. § 84-172 to 84-712.09, coupled with the Open Meetings Act, §84-1407 to §84-1414, promote government transparency, public participation and accountability.

Sunshine Week activities culminate with National Freedom of Information Day on March 16. Why March 16? it's the birthday of James Madison, the author of the First Amendment.

Led by the Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Project at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communicaitons, Sunshine Week explains why an open government is important and how excessive secrecy poses a danger to democracy.

Sunshine Week originated in Florida, in 2002, when the state's legislature offered legislation that would restrict public access to open records. Many of the state's newspapers worked together - forming Sunshine Sunday - to publish articles and commentary about the proposed laws. In 2005, 300 bills restricting information were voted down in Florida's legislature.

Since then, Sunshine Week has been a nationwide initiative that we, as journalists, believe is important and understand awareness begins with transparency and access to public information.

The public has the right to know.

You have a right to access public records and public meetings. This right is accorded through Nebraska's Open Meetings Act.

You have a right to attend meetings conducted by public bodies, ranging from the park board to the library board to city, county, school and state governments.

You have a right to review and copy public records, including meeting minutes - even budgets - that are produced by tax-supported public offices, agencies, branches, departments, boards, commissions, councils or committees. A fee, not to exceed the actual added cost of making the copies, may be charged.

Yes, some records do not have to be released to the public. In Nebraska, 24 documents may be withheld from the public, including education records with personal information, documents containing trade secrets, academic and scientific research and medical records.

I urge all of you, good readers, to learn more about your right to know, about holding elected officials accountable and about shining a light on a balanced democracy.