Your right to know in jeopardy.
Open Government
Northwest Now is committed to annual programs on the topic of open government. This effort includes regular discussions about Washington's Public Records Act (PRA) and open public meetings act (OPMA) - both of which relate directly to the exercise of effective and transparent governance. While our mission certainly calls for an evenhanded approach to all issues, advocating for open government is so fundamental to Democracy and a meaningful discussion of public affairs, logic dictates that we support and regularly publicize the values enshrined in the PRA and the OPMA.
The legislature claims privilege.
Transparency advocates fight and win.
Your right to know in the COVID era.
Should your date of birth be private?
The legislature resists transparency while rural citizens fill the watchdog role.
State lawmakers seek exemption from the Public Records Act.
Government doesn't want you snooping around.
Your right to government records and the roadblocks you face.
Your right to public records.
Is the legislature working to ensure your right to know?
Public records and your right to know.
Your right to public records.
The Washington Coalition for Open Government is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that works through the courts and the Legislature to defend and strengthen Washington's open government laws. KBTC Managing Editor Tom Layson is the producer/host of Northwest Now and a proud member of the Washington Coalition for Open Government. To learn more about WCOG, please visit www.washcog.org.
Northwest Now's annual program on government transparency typically airs just prior to the kickoff of Sunshine Week. While Sunshine Week is traditionally viewed as a newspaper-centric exercise, Northwest Now believes that the silos between media types are less meaningful in an era of multi-platform distribution, and additionally, that values matter more than fiefdoms, and that all communication is additive - contributing to a more vibrant and responsive Democracy. Sunshine Week is a program created by the American Society of News Editors (ASNE) and the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press (RCFP) with generous support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and The Gridiron Club and Foundation. Learn more at www.sunshineweek.org.