NC Open Government

From the Southern Pines Pilot (4/19/11): We'll be upfront here: The Pilot has a financial dog in this particular legislative fight.

From the Burlington Times-News (4/4/11): The chief sponsor of the Sunshine Amendment will now go to what he calls Plan C in an effort to make it more difficult for governments to close public meetings or exempt records from public inspection.

From the Wilmington StarNews (4/3/11): Memo to public officials: A closed session is supposed to pertain only to the specific topic for which it was called. In the case of the New Hanover County Commissioners, a closed meeting called to consult with their attorney expanded into an overview of the county's potential classification as an air quality "non-attainment" area and a general discussion of the role of board members in dealing with county employees.

From The Pendulum, Elon's student newspaper (3/29/11): Frank Sesno never intended to be a journalist, but years after he began collecting newspapers at a young age, he admits he was "meant to do this."

Brooke Barnett, an associate professor in the School of Communications and the executive director of the Sunshine Center, was a guest on WFAE 90.7FM to discuss public information and government transparency.

From Carolina Public Press (3/18/11): For news reporters, examining public records and inquiring about government activities is a regular part of their trade. But North Carolina's sunshine laws supporting open government practices are not just for journalists.

From the Carolina Journal (3/28/11): It stands to reason that when governmental bodies conduct the public's business, it ought to be done in public.

From the Fayetteville Observer (3/26/11): E-mails are a common and efficient way to communicate in the workplace, and it's no different for public employees.