FREE VIRTUAL PUBLIC EVENT
REGISTER HERE. The zoom link for attending the event will be provided after your registration.
Title: The Right to Know: Protecting and Expanding Access to Public Records
About: In a democratic society where access to government information is vital for informed civic engagement, barriers to transparency remain a persistent challenge. This panel, featuring Dr. David Cuillier from the Brechner Center for Freedom of Information, Dr. Frank LoMonte, a legal expert, and Dr. Kenneth Evans from Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, will explore the evolving landscape of government transparency and the fundamental role that information access plays in maintaining an accountable democracy. The discussion will address key topics such as the legal framework behind freedom of information, the obstacles faced by journalists, librarians, researchers, and citizens in securing public records, and the implications of government secrecy on public trust. Through an insightful exchange of ideas, the panelists will share their expertise on both the progress made in open government initiatives and the ongoing challenges that prevent full transparency. The panel will also examine how technological advances, changing legal standards, and shifting political environments shape the accessibility of government data. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how to navigate the complexities of information access, the importance of protecting transparency laws, and how these laws serve as a crucial check on power. Sponsored by the Education Committee of American Library Association Government Documents Round Table (GODORT).
EVENT CO-CHAIR / CO-PANEL DISCUSSION FACILITATOR / EVENT CONTACT:
Anna Xiong, Rice University Fondren Library Government Information Coordinator and FDLP Representative. jax2@rice.edu, 713.348.6212, office: B38A. She co-led the planning of this event as the Co-Chair of ALA GODORT Education Committee's Sunshine Week Working Group.
