(AP) – As open records advocates mark Sunshine Week, Arkansas
legislators are looking at a number of bills that would considerably weaken the
state's Freedom of Information Act.
The state's 50-year-old public records law has had fewer than 24 exemptions
carved out, but this year another dozen are working their way through the
Legislature. Other bills would make it harder to find records.
The Arkansas Press Association says the assault on open records is
unprecedented and likely a result of anti-media bias, but a state lawmaker says
some of the legislation being considered was introduced before President Donald
Trump called reporters the "enemy of the people."
Sunshine Week is observed annually around the time of James Madison's
birthday. He was a key proponent of the Bill of Rights.
legislators are looking at a number of bills that would considerably weaken the
state's Freedom of Information Act.
The state's 50-year-old public records law has had fewer than 24 exemptions
carved out, but this year another dozen are working their way through the
Legislature. Other bills would make it harder to find records.
The Arkansas Press Association says the assault on open records is
unprecedented and likely a result of anti-media bias, but a state lawmaker says
some of the legislation being considered was introduced before President Donald
Trump called reporters the "enemy of the people."
Sunshine Week is observed annually around the time of James Madison's
birthday. He was a key proponent of the Bill of Rights.
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