Award-winning Kentucky New Era Opinion Editor Jennifer Brown spoke to WKMS's Kate Lochte to salute Sunshine Week. It's a national observance to encourage transparency in government and an appreciation for state open meetings and open records laws, as well as the federal Freedom of Information Act.
Brown says there’s a common misconception with the public in that gaining access to public records is generally difficult and complicated.
She believes it's a lot simpler than most people think.
“You don’t have to be a lawyer to do this,” Brown said.
Like most states, Kentucky’s open meetings and records laws are intended to develop an open relationship between government and society. They clearly define what constitutes something that is “open” and can be accessed by reporters or the general public.
You can find Kentucky’s statutes here.
