We deserve access to truth in government

Dear Editor:

February 17 is the 224 th  anniversary of Virginia native Thomas Jefferson’s election to the Presidency. From his time in the Virginia legislature to his time as President, he consistently defended the Press as an institution, saying in a 1876 letter to fellow Virginian James Currie, “Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press and that cannot be limited without being lost.”

In today’s political climate, every negative report is decried as Fake News and many turn their eyes to YouTube and TikTok for information instead of the fine institutions that have long shined a light on our government’s activities. It should be noted that there are efforts right now in Virginia to expand the Public’s ability to see what their government is doing.  

The Virginia Freedom of Information Act is our Commonwealth’s primary vehicle for requiring the government to tell us what it’s doing. It requires the disclosures of many, though not all, government documents and records the public must have to understand what our government is doing. 

We are lucky that its language and requirements are written quite broadly. Yet as is inevitable with any group or organization in power, there is a temptation for our government to limit the press’ access and our access to information.

There are two bills now in the legislature this term that would expand that access.

Senator Russett Perry of Western Loudoun has proposed Senate Bill 215 which would make criminal investigative records available under FOIA to more people, such as a deceased victim’s family members even if they don’t live in Virginia. Currently only Virginia residents have access. This is a clearly commonsense and needed bill.

Senator Danica Roem of Manassas has proposed Senate Bill 324, which limits how much a government agency can charge an individual for a FOIA request. This stops a common government strategy of attempting to out price individuals who want to know what an agency is doing.

Regardless of our individual beliefs, and as our fellow Virginian Thomas Jefferson argued we deserve the whole truth from our government, unencumbered by procedural or economic barriers.

Ryan Ruzic
Purcellville