SPJer fights to improve Berkeley's transperancy
SPJer Judith Scherr, representing the Freedom of Information
Committee of the Society of Professional Journalists, Northern California
chapter, shares her experiences in trying to persaude Berkeley's government to be more transparent.
There’s a contradiction often built into the job of public official—one I’ve
observed over some 15 years reporting on various local governments in the Bay
Area. Elected officials—often dedicated folks without nefarious motives—may sprint
straight ahead with a passion to move a project forward. But in their rush to
get the job done, the official may trample on the citizens’ right to know what
government is doing and their right to give input into the process.
Read Scherr's full account at the Berkeley Daily Planet