Kentucky Open Government Coalition members Jeremy Rogers and Amye Bensenhaver led a spirited discussion of the Kentucky Open Records and Open Meetings Act with advanced journalism students at Kentucky State University on March 10. 

The discussion focused on the nuts and bolts of the laws — placing them in a familiar context:  the ongoing KSU presidential search — as well as current legislative attacks on the laws and major changes in the laws resulting from last year’s legislative assault.

The discussion culminated in a question about the historical origins of the law. Why was there a recognized need for the laws in the 1970s? Rogers and Bensenhaver described the threats to democracy that the United States faced in that era, epitomized in the secrecy and deceit associated with the Viet Nam War and Watergate.

The Coalition members emphasized that Kentuckians must preserve these “fought for” laws by opposing a hostile legislature’s efforts to erode them.

An important and timely reminder as Sunshine Week approaches.