by Robin Kemp

Today, March 16, 2021, is National Freedom of Information Day and this week is Sunshine Week–a reminder that citizens have the right to know what their government is doing.

The Clayton Crescent’s Robin Kemp challenged the City of Forest Park’s repeated violations of the Georgia Open Meetings and Open Records Acts. This forced the city to invest in brand-new livestreaming equipment, which allows citizens to view reliable video livestreams of meetings during the city’s COVID-19 shutdown (and beyond).

Since 2005, the American Society of News Editors (now known as the News Leaders Association) has promoted Sunshine Week to raise public awareness about the importance of open government.

You can learn more about how to hold your elected officials accountable and effect change in your neighborhoood by attending The Clayton Crescent’s Citizens’ Sunshine Workshop this Friday, March 16 at 1 p.m. via Zoom.

Representatives of the Georgia First Amendment Foundation and the Atlanta Press Club will join The Clayton Crescent’s executive editor and CEO, Robin Kemp, for this free and informative webinar.

You’ll learn:

  • what the Georgia Open Records Act is
  • how to use it
  • how to file an effective Open Records request
  • what to do with the information you receive
  • what the Georgia Open Meetings Act is
  • what to do in case of a violation

You also will gain access to additional resources that will help you shine some light on your government at the local, county, state, and federal levels.

This workshop is recommended for anyone in Clayton County and the Southern Crescent who wants to learn more about how citizens can hold their elected officials accountable and the role of a free press in open government. It’s especially recommended for residents of unincorporated areas.

To reserve your spot, e-mail KempWrites@gmail.com. We’ll send you the Zoom link where you can sign up. Please do not forward the link so we can avoid Zoom-bombing.

If you can’t make the workshop–don’t worry! We’ll post video of it afterwards.

Learn more about the Georgia Open Records Act and Georgia Open Meetings Act at gfaf.org.

The Clayton Crescent is a member of the Society for Professional Journalists, the Atlanta Press Club, the Georgia First Amendment Foundation, the National Press Photographers Association, and the Online News Association, all of which defend the public’s right to know.

Leave a comment