ABSTRACT
The freedom of information laws are defined broadly as any type of law that guarantees citizens right to find out about their government. This chapter examines the benefits and limitations of public record laws on exposing scandals. It discusses the growing body of research exploring whether sunshine laws actually improve institutional accountability and society, or merely give people the false appearance of citizen oversight. The chapter also offers new opportunities for bolstering public’s right to know in the twenty-first century. Public record and open meeting laws provide for exemptions—justifications that agencies can use to deny requesters, such as for national security or personal privacy. Journalists rely on freedom of information laws to expose government corruption on the public’s behalf. Some research indicates that existence of freedom of information laws might actually harm the public’s ability to acquire government information. Nations throughout the world are adopting freedom of information laws at a quick pace, and old laws are continuously reinvigorated.
