The right to know is a broad term used to describe the broader concept of access to government information. It can be defined in a number of ways, including the ability to inspect official government records, to hold government officials accountable for their actions, and to participate in informed decisions. These three are the main components of the right to know, although they are not the only ones.
The right to know is a laudable civil right. But the ability to know what's being done in your name is not only a right, but also a political necessity. Governments are notoriously secretive, and public disclosure is not the only method of controlling government officials.
The right to know is a broad term that encompasses the ability to inspect official government records, to attend official meetings, and to hold government officials accountable for their actions. This is not a new concept, but it has been gaining a cult following since the beginning of the twentieth century. The United States Environmental Protection Agency has a website dedicated to discussing the topic.
Although it has been criticized by some as being overly simple, the right to know has indeed been on the mind of journalists, politicians, and citizens alike. In fact, it is a matter of record that the American Society of Newspaper Editors (ASNE) sponsored a study in the 1950s to determine the best way to go about getting the news out to the public. A more recent study by a University of California at Berkeley researcher shows that there are actually legal rights to information regarding police and other government records. However, resolving the disagreement about the boundaries of the right to know is a political decision.
While the right to know is certainly a significant civil right, it is also a complex question that requires more than a single person to solve. As a result, the right to know is best addressed by an all-encompassing system of checks and balances. To accomplish this, the government needs to be accountable and transparent. The most effective system of checks and balances is to require that all information be available and easily accessible to the general public. Several states have implemented legislation to limit or eliminate some information from being disclosed.
According to a review of state and federal laws, the most important is the Right to Know Advisory Committee, which is an advisory body that makes recommendations to the Governor and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court. The committee may make recommendations for changes in statutes, local and governmental entities, and best practices for public access.
One of the earliest and most comprehensive reviews of the legal, legislative, and technological innovations involved in the right to know was authored by a lawyer and former journalist. He was tasked with writing a book for the ASNE. His opus, The People's Right to Know, was the first to consider all the facets of the right to know.