We're giving you tools to get government records

By ANDERS GYLLENHAAL

andersg@MiamiHerald.com

Anders Gyllenhaal

• Special section | Watchdog Report
• The Watchdog Report's Data Sleuth
• Watchdog Guide to Freedom of Information

When Jackson Health System signed a questionable contract last year, Miami Herald reporters asked for copies of any hospital e-mails on the deal in a routine records request.

The response that came back was anything but ordinary. The hospital said it would be glad to provide the records -- for $165,721.60. The ensuing standoff was never resolved, and the public records remained secret.

That was one of the more inventive ways of sidestepping the state's public information rules. Unfortunately, the history of the state's openness laws is riddled with stories of agencies working as hard to get around the law as to comply with them.

Today marks the start of Sunshine Week, a national effort by newspapers, TV stations, nonprofits, schools and libraries to emphasize the importance of open government and access to information. It's not a topic with much sizzle, but it's as fundamental as democracy.

In a society that relies on an informed public, the flow of information is a kind of lifeblood.

For most of the past decade, in the midst of what might be called the Information Age, that flow of public information has been receding. Startled by the terrorist attacks on the United States, worried about privacy issues, the country has backed away from the presumption of openness woven into laws over a generation.

Yet now the pendulum is swinging back. There's a growing consensus that security and openness can coexist. Florida itself may be the best example in the country.

The state created an Office of Open Government to help residents get more of the information they need. Gov. Charlie Crist has launched a commission to strengthen the sunshine laws.

Judging by the number of complaints and questions about the access of advocacy groups, the public is more attuned to the topic than ever.

''I'm cautiously optimistic,'' said Barbara Petersen, who as president of the First Amendment Foundation in Tallahassee has the best handle on public opinion of anyone in the state.

That doesn't mean those who actually make the decisions on releasing records, providing data, opening meetings and letting the public have its say are following the spirit of the law.

One state agency instituted a new $700 fee for the simplest records search, a price that clearly exceeds the law's ''reasonable'' standard.

The state Department of Law Enforcement charges $24 for background records that local police usually provide for less than a quarter.

Agencies frequently dawdle over information requests, often so long that the issue becomes moot.

In the Jackson case, the hospital said the e-mail search required a special effort, even though smaller agencies seem to have no such problem.

The state's Sunshine Law, which has long been a national model for the presumption of openness, now has nearly 1,100 exemptions that allow the secrecy of everything from labor negotiation strategies to pet records.

''It's one hurdle after another,'' said Manny Garcia, a Miami Herald assistant managing editor who directs many of the stories built on public records. ``Imagine if a newspaper with lawyers and a staff finds it so difficult, what's it like for average people?''

This is one of the reasons The Herald celebrates Sunshine Week with new features meant to help readers find their way through the maze.

One is an online project called Watchdog Data Sleuth -- developed by Manny and two of the newsroom's computer and online talents, Rob Barry and Stephanie Rosenblatt -- that provides links to valuable public databases.

Also available on MiamiHerald.com today is a special page on public records and access, located at www.miamifly.net/watchdog/foia.html. A version will run in Monday's ''On the Web'' feature on page 4A.

Over time, we plan to build the Watchdog pages into a robust collection of links and databases that will serve as a resource in the yearround push for open government.

Madonna and Guy seek to bury break-up rumours with show of togetherness

Comments (7)

The couple linked arms as the arrived for an intimate dinner at their favourite haunt, Harry's Bar & Grill in London's Mayfair.

It's the first time the pair have been photographed together since they visited India in early January.

Scroll down for more...

United front: Guy Ritchie and Madonna put on a public display of togetherness as they stepped out for dinner in London last night

Sources claim the couple, who married in 2000, are increasing living separate lives, with Ritchie's father John revealing: "They're not spending any time together."

He told Closer magazine: "Madonna is busy in America with the children, and Guy wants to stay in the UK. They won't be spending Easter together either."

Madonna's spokesperson has hit back at the claims, insisting "all is well and wonderful in the Ritchie household."

The representative added: "Though they were in different countries recently... the family are joyfully back together at home in London."

The couple are parents to three children - Lourdes, 11, Rocco, 7, and David, 2, whom they are in the process of adopting.

Madonna is preparing for the April release of her new album Hard Candy, which features production by Pharrell Williams, Timbaland and Nate "Danja" Hills as well as an appearance by Justin Timberlake.

For his part, Guy has been working on his new film RocknRolla, which stars Thandie Newton and Gerard Butler.

ADVERTISEMENT

Iconocast is about learning and teaching without borders; we offer eMarketing, Internet Advertising, Internet Marketing, Search Engine Optimization, Search Engine Marketing, Online Branding, and eMarketing News Services.

Iconocast Home Page

Contact Iconocast

Iconocast Health Articles

© 2003-07. ICONOCAST is a trademark of iconocast.com.