Tennessee’s "open records" are not really open.

[Judi Lynn]

Tennessee's open-records law falls short
Bristol Herald Courier
Dec 12, 12:08 AM EST


Tennessee’s "open records" are not really open.

That’s the finding of the first audit of supposedly public records in all 95 counties around the state. The audit found the open-records law, parts of which are scattered about in the state code, is confusing and has no teeth.

State lawmakers need to put this one on their agenda when they return to Nashville. There needs to be a clear, concise open-records law in the state and it needs to be enforced. There also should be real penalties for those who violate it.

The issue is of obvious importance to those of us who make our living in journalism. Our ability to report on crimes, the actions of local governments or the conditions in area schools is directly related to access to pertinent public documents.
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