This is Sunshine Week, which, if you didn't know, is the week in the newspaper world devoted to the promotion of open government laws. Open government laws vary from state to state, but all states are subject to the federal Freedom of Information Act, and all open government laws are all born out of the principles in the First Amendment and the belief that open government is better than secretive government. (Short sermon on open government and free speech to follow from the rabid newspaper lady.)
The First Amendement is first for a reason, people. As an American citizen, you are entitled to know 99.9 percent of what the leaders in your country, county, city or tiny little town are up to, and if anyone tells you differently, you can almost always be certain that they are lying to you. The First Amendment protects your right to free speech from interference by your government, whether your speech is offensive, religious or just plain absurd. Make no mistake, oh multitudes who aren't so fond of the media: Your right to a free press is directly tied to your right to free speech, free assembly and your freedom of religion. It's all part of the same constitutional amendment. And while you may not like what you read in the newspaper and see on the news on a daily basis, the majority of complaints and lawsuits that take to court the continued upholding of your First Amendment and open government rights are filed by media entities who have been denied access to some government record that should have been handed over with a smile. That is one of the primary functions of a free press, and I'm proud to say, I've been part of newspapers that have gone to the mattresses over things like that. It's the least we can do. Because people have fought and died, and are fighting and dying every day all over the world, for things like this.
So check out this and this and this, and this , and go forth prepared to embrace your rights. It's the least you can do.
End of sermon.