Earlier this week, the Florida Society of News Editors, which represents more than 30 news organizations, felt compelled to formally thank Florida Governor Rick Scott for essentially providing them with a gold mine of statewide political news fodder. They called it “a positive step to ensure transparency.”
Specifically, they are thanking Scott for making his emails and the emails of his top staff available online for the public to see—a move from the governor called “Project Sunburst.” Scott has said that this is an unprecedented step in providing the public with quick, easy and free access to [the Governor’s Offices] emails.
Yet, the Florida Society of News Editors, rightly, noticed a gap in this unprecedented transparency. So, they also encouraged Scott to “expand public access into such areas as text messages and messages posted on social media outlets.”
The society likewise expressed a bit of wishful thinking by saying to Scott, “Your efforts undoubtedly will inspire other public officials and local governments in Florida to follow your lead.”
The society acknowledged that Florida, in general, makes their job a little easier anyway with “Government in the Sunshine” rules. Noting that Florida has long been a leader in serving as a model for the rest of the country in guaranteeing the public’s right to access government meetings and records.
Via Daphne Street. You may reach Daphne at [email protected]
