Accountability requires that we keep government open to public observation. To maintain a free society, citizens should be aware of what their government is doing, plans on doing, and has done. We must examine the public’s rights to obtain information from the government and to observe its operations. The discussion begins with the Freedom of Information Act, the primary tool for obtaining information from the United States.

Ironically, a discussion of the rights of the public would be incomplete without a discussion of the Privacy Act, a law that prevents governmental disclosure of information in special circumstances. Be aware that all states have government in the sunshine laws as well.