Print this story |
E-mail story |
This story has 4 comments Add your own |
iPod friendly | Bookmark this
What is this?
Public info laws need backbone
Published Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Common criminals in Mississippi get more help accessing information and defending their legal rights than does the rare citizen who dares to seek public information.
Shoot someone in the head and you’re read Miranda rights upon your arrest. One of those rights, you are told, is legal counsel, even if you cannot afford it.
But what if you wanted to see a mayor’s publicly funded cell phone bill or how much money a county attorney makes or whether or not a city is funneling money from one public pocket into another?
It’s all public information and you, as a citizen, have a right to see that information.
Unfortunately, and all too often, ignorance and arrogance form a stifling duo.
The ignorance is the most common obstacle — untrained or ill-informed public personnel who often don’t understand the law.
The arrogance is more rare, but can be seen when people attempt to hide information.
No problem. We have laws to protect a citizen’s right to information and openness.
Yes, we do. But fighting for your rights is a BYOL party — bring your own lawyer.
You’re out of luck if you aren’t independently wealthy or a member of the Mississippi Bar Association.
The Mississippi Open Meetings Law and Mississippi Public Records Act are intended to help protect citizens’ rights.
But the laws are toothless jellyfish when they really count and when issues are pressed.
Neither law has much in the way of “teeth” — no fixed penalties for violations. And neither is all that supportive either — since citizens must bring their own legal power.
Until those laws are modified to provide better deterrents and more accessible enforcement, access to public information continues to be at great risk. And that should worry us as much as the criminals walking the streets do.
Comments
Posted by observer (anonymous) on February 12, 2008 at 4:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The Clarion Ledger has been running informative stories about these very issues. It would not seem likely that the laws will be modified, given that the fox is guarding the henhouse. And our state continues to be disgraced by the judicial scandals.
In situations where power and money influence everything the average citizen has to depend on an unbiased free press and other news outlets to investigate, inform and correct. Keep plugging away, Natchez Democrat. Your voice is as important as the big boys'.
Posted by hellcat (anonymous) on February 12, 2008 at 6:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Cheers for ND! It's about time someone spoke out about this and other things the ND has been printing lately. Glad to see money can't buy everything!
Posted by Krogers (anonymous) on February 12, 2008 at 11:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
on the other hand,
if public officials didn't have some measure of safety,
they would be so beseiged by attack, there would be no possibility of getting anything done other than attending court to defend every little thing they did
many people with hidden agendas or personal vendettas would frivolously attack our public servants
this is just to stir us up and keep the kettle whistling, in regards to supervisors having meetings that the Democrat wasn't invited to
if the paper is doing it's job, then we will know what's going on. Just give us the facts without the hype please
Posted by inharmsway (anonymous) on February 12, 2008 at 11:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
And while Ferriday and other towns are dying due to drugs and drug related crime the police force at the direction of the mayor are out scalping the citizens for petty traffic violations.
Any attempt at a public record request will be met with ignorant refusal and downright lawlessness. It is a case of bring your own lawyer. I wish a journalist would get on some of this like a pitt bull dog. The story is out there, will someone please go get it and keep it in the spotlight until positive change is effected.
Post a comment (Terms of Use Policy)
(Requires free registration.)