Advocates of open government in Wisconsin are planning an informational tour to highlight the importance of the state’s open records laws, in the wake of unprecedented attacks from state lawmakers and others.
“An open society depends on open government. Wisconsin residents understand that,” says Mark Pitsch, president of the Madison chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists and an assistant city editor at the Wisconsin State Journal. “Last summer’s attempt to gut the records law is just one of several recent examples of official disregard for the public’s right to know. It’s time for education and vigilance.”
The “Open Government Traveling Show” sponsored by the Gazette will take place Thursday, March 17th at 7:00 p.m. Blackhawk Technical College.
The event—free and open to the public—is aimed at helping Wisconsin residents understand the open records law and how to use it. The 90-minute presentation will feature a tutorial on the records law and examples of its use by journalists and advocates.
Participants will include representatives of the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council, the Madison chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty, the Center for Media and Democracy, the MacIver Institute for Public Policy and Wisconsin Democracy Campaign.
The tour is also supported by the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism.
