Florida has a set of progressive open government laws where residents can request to see any public record from an agency. But the reality isn't that simple. A group of journalists, posing as regular citizens, tested the system by contacting several hundred local government agencies and making run-of-the mill requests. The agencies they contacted often denied them the information or gave them the runaround. From the article:
Some government agencies tried to justify their suspicions by citing heightened security concerns brought on by the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
In a post-audit interview, Taylor County Superintendent Oscar Howard said his district was hesitant to produce his cell phone bill because the volunteer wouldn't give his name.
"He could have been a terrorist," Howard said. "We have to ensure the safety of children."
Howard couldn't explain how a terrorist might use his cell phone bill to harm children.
No comments:
Post a Comment