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Palatka Daily News
Responsibilities in a democracy
We can imagine no better system of government in theory than democracy. In practice, it works best when the government, the public and the press live up to their responsibilities.
The press has a responsibility to keep the public informed about the government.
The public has a responsibility to pay attention so we can make informed decisions about who we elect to run our affairs and to keep the government -- and the press -- in line.
The government has a responsibility to make its business known so that the press and public can do their part in a democracy.
Occasionally, we all need a reminder of our roles.
That is the reason for Sunshine Sunday tomorrow, organized by the Florida Society of Newspaper Editors.
It is timed to coincide with the state legislative session, where 50-60 bills are pending that would create specific exemptions to Florida's Government-in-the-Sunshine Law. Newspapers throughout the state are writing editorials to remind our legislators about the need for open government so we the people can participate in the decisions that affect our lives.
This is also a good time for a reminder at the local level.
Local governments need to become well-versed in the sunshine law. Requests for public records must be met within a reasonable time. It is not good enough to wait for the one person who knows how to find a record to return from vacation. Citizens do not have to identify themselves or the reasons for their requests. Records custodians must be ready to cite the specific statutory exemptions when denying access to records.
The Daily News has a good working relationship with most of our government sources. We have been patient in allowing people within government to check with their administrators or lawyers about whether a record is public. Agencies can expect that their failure to respond to legitimate requests for public information will be duly noted in print.
The public has a responsibility to pay attention to the government and the press and to point out our failures. Some of our most valuable sources are the diligent citizens who make life interesting for their local officials. They are an extra set of eyes and ears when the newspaper is not watching or listening.
The public is also a valuable resource in keeping the press in line. The newspaper listens when the public points out our failure to live up to our obligation as government watchdog. We will continue to try to fill that role and be diligent advocates for the public's right to know.
There is another level of responsibility within democracy. When an agency fails to operate in the sunshine, the state attorney's office must be diligent in prosecuting violations, even at a small agency. We understand they have rapes and murders to prosecute in areas with large voter blocks. A sunshine violation taken by itself may not amount to much, but the result of not prosecuting sunshine violations can have chilling effects on the public's ability to monitor the government.