Are you smarter than a journalist?
As part of Sunshine Week, which starts on Sunday and goes through March 17, try testing your freedom of information knowledge online.
The Sunshine Week organization has a game for you to "learn about why open government and freedom of information in the U.S. is to be cherished and held to high standards."
The interactive Ray of Sunshine game gives players a reward at the end, allowing you to brag about your success on Facebook and Twitter.
In the spirit of transparency and openness, I took the interactive quiz and was given the "You're a Ray of Sunshine" award by Sunshine Week.
Understanding the Freedom of Information Act will get you only so far, however, when you are on a quest for information. You also need to be familiar with the Missouri Sunshine Law for anything regarding state or local governments.
The state attorney general's office also has an online quiz to test your knowledge.
On this test I correctly answered 10 out of 11 multiple-choice questions.
If you want to brush up on your knowledge before taking the quizzes, Sunshine Week provides resources about freedom of information online. The attorney general's office also provides sunshine law information, including a summary of the law, court decisions and a sample sunshine request form.
In addition to taking the quizzes, I challenge you to get involved by filing a freedom of information or sunshine request, or attend a public meeting. I would love to hear how everything turns out.
And if you dig up anything newsworthy, feel free to contact me anytime.
(One other transparency note: I’m scheduled to be on vacation during Sunshine Week. However, I will be attending a sunshine workshop by the Attorney General's Office in Jefferson City on Friday.)
By Brian R. Hook, brhook@missourijournal.com, (314) 482-7944
Hook is editor of Missouri Journal, which tracks the economy across the Show-Me State.
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If it is a local government, the state attorney generals office can help. However, if it is a state agency, some times the last resort is a lawsuit. Usually, however, naming and shaming, will get the agency to cut the cost. -BRH
The link to the state quiz also provides guidelines regarding fees. I'm not sure copying the AG each time would be helpful. Unfortunately, it is often more difficult than it needs to be. Persistence often pays off in the end. And if you have a specific request, I'd be happy to help with the process. Feel free to email me at brhook@missourijournal.com.
Cause NO. 1022-CC10551 division no. 31 22nd Judicial court.
http://auditor.mo.gov/Press/2012-19.pdf And here is a link to more info regarding governmental bodies & records: http://ago.mo.gov/sunshinelaw/chapter610.htm