Our View

Our View

There’s freedom in information

With public skepticism growing over the activities, behavior and actions of our politicians these days one of the best tools in the media’s arsenal are federal and state laws that pertain to the Freedom of Information Act.

These laws were not only enacted for the press but also for anyone wanting access to public records that, at times, are suspiciously kept from public view by government bureaucrats and politicians.

And, it isn’t unusual for government agencies and entities to push legislation that erode the powers of these laws on the basis that revealing certain public information would be harmful.

On a positive note on this subject we are pleased to learn that for the first time, a new state-appointed brain trust will weigh in on proposed changes to the state’s Freedom of Information Act at the same time the General Assembly meetings and votes on the legislation.

This Task Force is in charge of making recommendations on bills that would affect the state public records and open meeting law and will advise whether legislators should approve the bills, revise them or kill them.

It is important for all of us to know that the last time the Arkansas Legislature met in regular session in 2017, these politicians introduced at least a dozen bills that experts argued would weaken, in some cases, gut the state’s Freedom of Information Act.

And, at least 10 of those bills because law, though two that stirred the most opposition failed to pass.

But, let’s not be so passive to believe that these very same lawmakers won’t make another try during this session.

For example, we’re already hearing that the Arkansas Municipal League plans to revive and revise a failed 2017 proposal, that proposes keeping from the public eye government attorneys’ communications and work products in “pending or threatened litigation.

Such a bill would allow government agencies to hide thousands of records that ought to be public. Robert Steinbuch, a UALR law professor, said what the Municipal League is attempting to do is simply revive the rotting corpse of a bill from last session.

We’re very fortunate that Arkansas has this task force , whose members were appointed by various elected officials and groups, including the governor, state House and Senate leaders, the Arkansas press Association, the Arkansas chapter of the society of Professional Journalists, and city, county and university representatives.

Let it be known that without the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, government officials on all levels could conduct state and local business virtually in secret which is something none of use should accept.

We’re also encouraged to learn that this task force will look at every FOIA bill and meet as often as possible to offer recommendations during this upcoming legislative session.

Once again, let us point out that Arkansas Freedom of Information Act is just as important to the people of Arkansas as it is to the press.