The weather forecast this week may be partly cloudy with a few showers, but to journalists and citizens hoping to promote an open government, there is still a chance for sunshine.

This week marks the celebration of Sunshine Week, a national initiative led by the American Society of Newspaper Editors that aims to promote awareness about open government and freedom of information laws.

Access to most public records is guaranteed by the Freedom of Information Act, which became law in 1966.

Although journalists are generally the most vocal advocates for freedom of information, government openness and the accessibility of public records can affect even college students, said Joel Campbell, journalism professor at Brigham Young University, who is nationally renowned for his expertise and activism in freedom of information causes.

In his journalism research methods class, Campbell said many students are surprised to learn the most basic budget of public schools or information about crime in their neighborhoods are available through public records.

Instead of a midterm exam, students in the class participate in a "background a house" project where they must investigate several areas of public information about a randomly selected house in Provo. They learn everything from the nearest sex offenders to companies that release toxic waste in the neighborhood.

"It's a great skill to have for any student who will one day purchase a home," Campbell said.

Jesseca Bird, a print journalism major who recently finished the "background a house" project, said she would have had no idea where to go to get records without the project - before the class, she said, she didn't even know the records existed for her to obtain.

"I think it is very useful information, and I will definitely use it in my career, as well as buying a home," Bird said.

Bird also said she thinks the public should be able to see what the government is doing, ensuring the government is accountable to the public.

"Open records contribute to a free society, as well as keep the public informed with what is going on in government," she said.

Records Supervisor Jeanine Taylor, of the Provo City Police Department, said they typically get two or three records requests a day. Requests often come from people wanting to see their own records, news agencies and concerned neighbors.

The police department has 10 working days to provide records, but Taylor said they usually finish before then.

Campbell said BYU students' recent involvement in the Provo City Council meetings regarding parking restrictions around campus also shows the importance of open government. Without open government laws, he said, these decisions and records regarding them could have been made in secret and with little participation.

"While journalists certainly use open government laws, the laws are meant for everyone," Campbell said. "Openness is essential to our participatory democracy."

Freedom of Information

How to access public records:

--> Create a public records request using the Freedom Of Information Letter Generator, or learn more with features like "The Open Government Guide," at the Web site of The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press (www.rcfp.org/foia).

--> Search basic property, owner, tax and other land information at the Utah County Web site (www.co.utah.ut.us/dept/record/landrecordsandmaps).

--> Search federal, state and local political contributions at the Center of Responsive Politics Web site (www.opensecrets.org/states).

Copyright Brigham Young University 18 Mar 2008