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The Boca Raton News Sunshine laws must remain free of clouds Free speech and free press are two major building blocks of this country. For more than 200 years, these rights have been debated, tested, argued about and put on the line. But they have always survived. Here in Florida, Government-in-the-Sunshine Laws guarantee us access to most meetings of boards, commissions, agencies, authorities and other governing bodies of state and local government. We know that when we pick up the newspaper or turn on the TV or radio, we will be able to read or hear accounts of these meetings – without censorship, without fear and without the impediments that hinder free press in many countries. To bring to the public’s attention the importance of open meetings laws in Florida and other states, the American Society of Newspaper Editors has designated March 13-19 as National Sunshine Week. To complement ASNE's effort, the Florida Society of Newspaper Editors board has picked today to honor its fourth annual "Sunshine Sunday" campaign. We at the Boca Raton News have always stood squarely behind the public’s right to know. We work hard to make sure we can access every piece of information before we go to press. But threats to open government in Florida are real and growing – and we are concerned about them. State lawmakers have already introduced 27 proposed new exemptions to open meeting and public records laws – and the number is expected to jump dramatically in the next few weeks, said Barbara Petersen, president of Florida’s First Amendment Foundation. News organizations across the Sunshine State have been able to make strides against infringement on the Sunshine Laws. More that 300 exemptions to open government laws have been rejected in legislative sessions during the past three years. But challenges remain. "Lawmakers keep chipping away at Sunshine Laws to keep lobbyists and constituents happy," said Terry Eberle, executive editor of Florida Today and president of FSNE. "Florida's annual Sunshine Sunday helps shed light on the importance of open government. And it has had an impact. People notice when almost every newspaper in the state focuses on openness.” This state has a long tradition of access -- going back to 1909 and the passage of what has come to be known as the “Public Records Law.” It states that any records of a public agency’s official business are available for inspection, unless specifically exempted by the legislature. Over the years, the definition of what constitutes a “public record” has expanded from the traditional papers, maps and books to include tapes, photographs, film, sound recordings and records stored in computers. In 1967, Florida enacted its Government-in-the-Sunshine Law, which establishes a basic right of access to most meetings of governmental bodies. A constitutional amendment adopted in 1992 strengthened and reaffirmed it. Florida voters have overwhelmingly shown their support for government in the sunshine at all levels of government. They have made it clear they believe that open government provides the best assurance that government is responsive and responsible to the needs of the people. We join others in the industry today to pledge our continuing support to the cause.
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