Editor’s note: Sunshine Week, March 16-22, 2014, is a national initiative to promote a dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information. An editorial from the Charleston Daily Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Sunday marked the 263rd anniversary of the birth of James Madison, the father of the[Read More…]
Opinion
The Editorial category is a roundup of links to editorials and columns from West Virginia newspapers.
Freedom of speech has consequences
An editorial from the Parkersburg News and Sentinel PARKERSBURG, W.Va. — Many who are upset that Parkersburg South High School science teacher David Foggin has been suspended over comments posted on his Facebook page are using the First Amendment as part of their argument. These folks must realize, however, those[Read More…]
Timely information about money in politics a must
Editor’s note: Sunshine Week, March 16-22, 2014, is a national initiative to promote a dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information. This column was published by the Logan Banner. In the McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission decision likely to be announced soon, the Supreme Court is[Read More…]
Breaking the law — intentionally or otherwise
Editor’s note: Sunshine Week, March 16-22, 2014, is a national initiative to promote a dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information. An editorial from The Inter-Mountain ELKINS, W.Va. — When elected officials intentionally refuse to release public information, do they realize they are breaking the law?[Read More…]
W.Va. official’s support of contractor out of line
An editorial from The Herald-Dispatch HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Public officials who have a cloudy understanding about how cozy relationships can raise questions of impropriety should take a lesson from the case of a West Virginia official. Joe Gonzalez, communications director at the state Office of Emergency Medical Services, has been[Read More…]
Keep sunshine on the government
An editorial from The Dominion Post MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — There was a time not so long ago last winter when if you heard mention of Sunshine Week, it got your attention. We ’re hoping it still does today as the sun rises on spring. But more specifically, the Sunshine Week[Read More…]
FOIA reform key to open government
Editor’s note: Sunshine Week, March 16-22, 2014, is a national initiative to promote a dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information. This column was published by the Bluefield Daily Telegraph. This Sunshine Week, the National Security Archive is reporting that 50 out of 101 agencies have[Read More…]
Caring enough to conduct meetings ‘the right way’
An editorial from The Inter-Mountain ELKINS, W.Va. — As The Inter-Mountain celebrates Sunshine Week, we plan to highlight local agencies that operate openly and with transparency, as well as instances when public information has been harder to come by, and officials have been reluctant to let the public know what[Read More…]
Top secret: Administration keeps everyone in dark
Editor’s note: Sunshine Week, March 16-22, 2014, is a national initiative to promote a dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information. An editorial from The Journal MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — When President Barack Obama took office, he promised Americans the most transparent administration in history. Just the[Read More…]
Let the sun shine
An editorial from The Register-Herald BECKLEY, W.Va. — This week marks the celebration of “Sunshine Week.” And, no, this is not a sarcastic reference to our recent weather. Rather, it is a reminder of our freedoms, and the right to transparent, responsible government to which all citizens in our republic[Read More…]