Serving Barnwell County and it's neighbors since 1852
Journalism aims to part the clouds on otherwise shaded parts of our federal, state, and local government. During Sunshine Week, an annual nonpartisan celebration of transparency and accountability, a national light is shed on the importance of public records and open government.
Part of Sunshine Week, which is held March 16 to 22, is bringing attention to methods in which the media and the public can obtain access to information. Media outlets like The People-Sentinel are no strangers to submitting a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to governmental agencies in an effort to learn more and promote transparency.
In cases where the public has questions about why their government made the decision it did, FOIA requests can be the pathway to answers. This request serves as the formal way to obtain information from governmental agencies, and is governed by laws determining what can be accessed. FOIA requests are not only an avenue for members of the press; citizens are encouraged to submit their own requests and ask more of the public bodies who serve them during Sunshine Week and beyond.
Many award winning series published by The People-Sentinel were made possible through FOIA requests.
Searching through years of dispatch records, incident reports, and shelter statistics all obtained through FOIA requests led to articles on the systemic animal welfare issues in the City of Barnwell. Materials obtained through FOIA requests unearthed years of negligence on the behalf of government entities, the details of a dog attack, and much more. This reporting highlighted the connection between poor animal welfare laws and a decline in public safety through the evidence found via FOIA requests, as well as the subsequent hiring of an animal control officer and filed lawsuits.
Coverage of the ongoing financial issues at the Town of Fairfax were made possible through requesting audits and budgets, and allowed Allendale County taxpayers insight into how their money was being spent.
FOIA requests also brought to light investigations by state agencies into local police departments and how a lack of staff-related reporting led to members of the command staff losing their certifications.
While FOIA requests are not the only way the public or press can obtain open information, it serves as a useful and effective tool in maintaining governmental accountability. Journalists often rely on this tool in conjunction with others to provide the public with accurate and impactful information as seen in the aforementioned published series.
FOIA requests may not provide all the answers, but they give us a starting point to the transparency we all desire.
During Sunshine Week, The People-Sentinel staff will continue our mission to shed light on all corners of your community. To help us do this, please support local journalism.
