Free access to Wisconsin public records a vital right

From the Leader-Telegram:

Independence Day is a particularly good time to celebrate the freedoms we hold dear as Americans, among them our First Amendment rights of free speech and a free press. For such rights to have meaning, they must be protected by elected officials and the courts. Furthermore, media organizations (as well as private individuals) must have access to government meetings and records. Without openness in government, the media cannot fulfill its critical watchdog role and the public is left in the dark.

Fortunately, the Wisconsin Supreme Court made it clear last week that it supports such openness. The court ruled unanimously that government agencies can't charge the public for time spent redacting confidential information from records requested under the state's open records law.

See more background and reactions here.