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State's newspapers condemn efforts to dim Sunshine Law
By Times staff writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published March 8, 2002
TALLAHASSEE -- Florida newspapers are uniting to call attention to a record number of bills state lawmakers are considering to limit the public's access to government records and meetings.
At least 25 papers, including the St. Petersburg Times, the Miami Herald and the Orlando Sentinel, plan to run editorials denouncing the bills Sunday, a day being dubbed as Sunshine Sunday to recognize the state's nationally recognized Sunshine Law.
"We're deeply concerned," said Pat Yack, president of the Florida Society of Newspaper Editors and editor of the Florida Times-Union in Jacksonville. "We respect the concerns (legislators) have, but we feel like we can address those concerns in very narrow amendments instead of sweeping ones."
Some bills being proposed by legislators include withholding Social Security numbers, and withholding information about public utility customers and cell phone and beeper numbers used by police officers.
Legislators justify secrecy as the price of fighting terrorism, while others say they are reacting to the growing problem of identity theft. But the newspapers and the First Amendment Foundation see a troubling erosion of Florida's reputation for openness in government.
The society of editors designated March 10 as "Sunshine Sunday" because it falls on the Sunday before the birthday of James Madison, an ardent supporter of the First Amendment.
"This is an effort, among others, that we are taking to protect First Amendment issues, not only for us but for people," Yack said. "The Sunshine Law was passed to help people."
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