As I see it

Sometimes you have to go out into the cold and yell about something you want to change.

So, we did.

The "we" being the members of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) along with other members of the media who gathered at the steps of the Massachusetts State House in Boston on Thursday, Jan. 21, to advocate for the reform of the state public records law.

The event was timed to coordinate with the State of the Commonwealth address, the first for Gov. Charlie Baker, with the hope of inspiring lawmakers in the Senate to vote to update the law, which hasn’t been augmented in decades.

The vote is projected for early February and Society members will be reaching out to senators in the interim to advocate for a these updates. We as a group hope residents will do the same.

What can you do? It's as easy as calling your senator, writing him a letter or an email. Make sure your voice is heard alongside ours.

Sen. Michel J. Barrett, D-Lexington, represents Bedford and the Third Middlesex district and can be reached by phone at 617-722-1572 and by email Mike.Barrett@masenate.gov. You can write a letter to Barrett by mailing the Massachusetts State House, Room 416, 24 Beacon St, Boston, MA 01233.

Stand out points to remember on records reform include the importance of receiving records in a timely manner. In the words of the Society's New England Chapter President Danielle McLean, which date back to Martin Luther King Jr., and William E. Gladstone, “Justice delayed is justice denied.”

A price tag shouldn't be placed on access. It is imperative that there are no additional fees tacked onto requests. There should never be an information tax on what government agencies should be providing the public.

Transparency was the word of the night at the rally, and the word that encapsulates the campaign for reform by SPJ. Without transparency, journalists have a frustrating, sometimes nearly impossible experience requesting and receiving public records from state agencies and public safety departments in a timely, and cost effective manner.

What does all this mean for you? 

It means when reporters are denied access to what should be public information, the ramifications fall on the shoulders of those living and working in the communities involved. 

In my experience and short time as editor in Bedford, records have been easily accessible. This is exactly how they should be, and while one may take for granted what is available in their hometown, there are other communities that don't allow for the same kind of transparency. This is why you should advocate for these updates, so other residents and journalists can have the access they deserve.