Colin Donohue

From the Charlotte Observer (3/18/09): E-mails to a city council member, county commissioner, state agency head or the governor are usually public records, available for anyone to view upon request.

From the Raleigh News & Observer (3/19/09): For the past several years, this week in March has been noted, and even celebrated, by those in the business of news and opinion as "Sunshine Week," wherein newspapers, including The News & Observer, offer stories on the benefits of the people's access to their own business.

From the Asheville Citizen-Times (3/19/09): The annual observance of Sunshine Week has rolled around again, and its importance is greater than ever.

From the Charlotte Observer (3/19/09): Gov. Bev Perdue said this week she'll seek new legislation to publicly disclose information about those who die in state mental hospitals and homes for the developmentally disabled, including the names of the dead and an explanation of how they died.

From the Reflector.com (3/18/09): OPENING RECORDS: Gov. Beverly Perdue and Attorney General Roy Cooper will seek legislation clarifying that information about patient deaths inside state mental hospitals are public records.

From the Shelby (N.C.) Star (3/18/09): Just as the idea of pursuing happiness helped define our country more than two centuries ago, the ongoing pursuit of openness represents an essential part of the American character: a government accountable to the governed.

The story goes like this. Edmund Burke, 17th century politico and philosopher, visited parliament after the birth of newspapers. When he saw lords and commoners debating, he looked up into the gallery and noticed the newly formed press corps. He turned to his friend and remarked, “Ah … it’s the Fourth Estate.”

Tim McMahon, an assistant professor in the School of Communications, was in New York on Friday, March 13, to judge the 2009 Silver Anvil Awards.

From the Raleigh News and Observer (3/15/09): Gov. Beverly Perdue answered questions about open government.