Open government laws, sometimes called 'sunshine laws,' require governments to do the public's business in public — meaning that meetings, emails, even text messages, are available to the public.
In theory, these are pretty simple laws — but when it comes to the practice of open government, things get a lot more complicated. So, on this episode, WHQR News Director Ben Schachtman and reporter Rachel Keith explore some actual cases where our reporting led us into grey areas of public records laws. And, WECT's Michael Praats joins us to break down his recent reporting on what happens when government and journalists don't agree on exactly what the laws mean.
Plus, an in-depth conversation with UNCW's Dr. Donyell Roseboro, who is now the university's Chief Diversity Officer. We'll get into what 'diversity work' means to her, and the university, and what challenges she'll face.
Guests
- Dr. Brooks Fuller — Director of the North Carolina Open Government Coalition and Assistant Professor of Journalism
- Dr. Donyell Roseboro — Chief Diversity Officer, UNCW
- Michael Praats, investigative reporter WECT
Links:
- NHRMC hasn’t released Covid-19 hospitalization numbers, here’s why (Port City Daily)
- Confidential emails keep county business out of the public eye (WECT, 2012)
- NHC leaders sent more than 30,000 emails in three months. Nearly a third were kept out of the public sphere (WECT)
- New Hanover's long-awaited Title-IX survey results shows concerning levels of harassment, unreported incidents
- NHCS teachers share their concerns, many highlighted in recent climate survey
- UNCW Chancellor discusses efforts to tackle diversity, equity, and inclusion challenges with Board of Trustees
- WilmingtonBiz Talk On Equity And Inclusion Effort
- UNC School of Government's Dr. Frayda S. Bluestein on North Carolina public records.
