Openness needed even for officials
March 29, 2009: "Media representatives have to deal with recalcitrant officials all too often when it comes to seeking information.
It is just part of the job, although it shouldn't have to be. At least we have the ability to inform the public when it happens and resources to oppose violations of the law.
When a Jackson City Council member has trouble getting information, it shows just how bad attitudes are when it comes to openness." Read the full column here.
Open Mississippi records
March 16, 2009: "Mississippi can and should do better than rank last among U.S. states for putting government information online.
The state especially lacks postings of government disciplinary actions and inspections.
We know about the sorry state of open records in Mississippi because of the Sunshine Week 2009 Survey of State Government Information Online and local press reports." Read the full column here.
Mississippi last in survey of Internet records
March 14, 2009: "Mississippi ranks last once again.
A recent national survey found that while many states put basic public records on the Internet, Mississippi still requires people to request most documents by mail or in person, and sometimes the state requires people to pay for the records.
It’s a horse-and-buggy system in a world where people elsewhere fly first-class." Read the full article here.
Publication sues Miss. to get prison phone records
March 11, 2009: "A legal magazine dealing with prison issues has sued the Mississippi Department of Corrections for access to records of contracts with a prison telephone service provider.
The lawsuit was filed Tuesday in Hinds County Chancery Court.
Prison Legal News, a nonprofit monthly publication that reports on prison issues nationwide, claimed MDOC refused to provide a copy of its contract with Global Tel-Link as part of a research article on prison telephone services. " Read the full article here.
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