Assignment Nine - Public Records (State, National or International)

 Government Transparency   

Why might someone need access to a public record you ask? Whether you're a new member of the neighborhood, or old, public records can be beneficial to you. The ability to find out seemingly anything about where you live or who you live around is an attractive appeal for new parents, or even simply information seekers. However, new laws and regulations are keeping much of this "free information" just out of reach.

"The importance of public records really can't be overstated because it helps ensure transparency and accountability in government." Due to the fact that knowledge is power, our country and local communities would have a hard time, believe it or not, functioning in a society where they couldn't get their hands or know what the government is up to. Public records can be defined as, "[...] information that is recorded and stored by a government which a member of the publishes a right to access and review. Records can be in tangible forms, such as paper, photographs, and maps, or stored on electronic media, such as DVDs, and the computer databases." 

While it may seem easy, you just access an online database or go up to your local courthouse to make a request, the government is making it increasingly harder to get your hands on this information. "Laws" have been placed, creating loop holes for the release of information, and brining the governments transparency into question. For example, in Kentucky the attorney general made a decision that the release of information transmitted through personally owned devices is unnecessary.  This basically means, that even if a government or court related decision is spoken about or made via email or text, if it is discussed via personal devices, the information is not up for grabs. So much for government transparency... right?

There are many other loopholes created when it comes to the release of public records. "Many records that would ordinarily be made public escape examination when the organization that maintains them is not a direct part of government." They then send these records to some sort of a non profit organization, whom may not be required to comply with freedom of information laws. This basically means that whoever ends up with these so called, public records, can do with them as they please. But, thats not all! Even with dwindling information gaining into these public records, imagine the fees for getting your hands on them. While sometimes a request is just a small fee, how many times will you have to request in order to get the documents? "For example, in Florida, Charlotte County approves one-sixth the number of requests for information that Polk County did, yet it collected three times the amount of money[...]" So whether you're just making a request or seeking the records on a speedy website, you're more than likely to end up a little shorted on cash than you went in, and maybe be disappointed with the results.

While public records seem like a handy and accessible way to know what is happening and has been happening around your town, they are becoming increasingly harder to access. With changes in policy and increasing fees to even look at this "free information", there are many hoops to jump through to find out what you want to know, and even once you do, the information may not all be there!