Why we should all care about Democracy Day and the public’s right to know
I’ve been an editor for a long time and often take a clinician’s perspective when news and information drive effusive responses, good or otherwise.
After all, isn’t democracy about having the right to express those opinions?
Isn’t it also about having access to the truth?
Friday happened to be International Day of Democracy. I wondered if anyone noticed. But I hoped everyone cared.
The News & Observer’s Dan Kane, a longtime investigative reporter, has reported often on secrecies that inhibit the public’s right to know. In his recent story, “Laws and policies make NC more secret, open-government advocates say,” Dan summarizes how public officials have kept the public — that means you — in the dark: In recent years, state lawmakers passed laws that made campaign finance investigations secret, blocked public access to data tracking police misconduct statewide, and prevented the release of pollution complaints against agricultural operations. They made gun permits secret. Complaints against judges too.
Stories about the deadly avian flu routinely show up on news sites statewide with few details for the public. The N&O and The Charlotte Observer teamed up last fall on the “Big Poultry” investigation, which used data and deep reporting to show how the state cloaks the poultry industry in secrecy to the point that regulators don’t even know where most of the farms are located. Neighbors also complain about the stench and other nuisances. But, as we reported, state laws leave courts and local governments nearly powerless to help.
Public records and 911 calls
There are so many ways the public’s interests are affected by the right to know. Public records, such as 911 calls, informed the public about what transpired when the UNC campus faced a second lockdown in two weeks.
If you’ve ever sought public details about a development in your neighborhood, you should care.
If you’ve ever been pulled over while driving and not given a reason why, you should care.
If you’ve ever wanted to vote, you should care.
That we have two designated days to celebrate doughnuts — National Donut Day in June and National Doughnut Day in November (apparently to placate followers of The Associated Press Stylebook) — spurred a deep philosophical discussion I had with myself during Friday’s commute into downtown Raleigh: If designated days are special, shouldn’t they be every day?
Democracy Day should be every day. There’s nothing partisan about the right to know.
That’s not an opinion from an editor who cares about all the amendments. It’s a hope for everyone’s child, no matter their age.
This statement from the United Nations explains why International Day of Democracy doesn’t need a greeting card to be reflective of why we should care: “An engaged, well-educated electorate is at the heart of strong democratic societies. Creating an environment in which young people feel their voice counts is crucial. Young people must navigate a world in which democracies are under threat from factors ranging from the proliferation of online mis- and disinformation, to rising populism, and the destabilizing effects of the climate crisis. It is important everyone is able to meaningfully participate in the decisions that affect their lives now, and in years to come.”
Bill Church is executive editor of The News & Observer.
