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Show I UTAH PRESS ASSOCIATION'S CAPITAL NOTEBOOK ! By David C. Pruden "Nothing could be more irrational than to give the people power, and to withhold from them information without which power is abused. A people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with power which knowledge gives. A popular government without popular information or the means of acquiring it is but a prologue to a farce or a tragedy, or perhaps both." James Madison The uncensored flow of information concerning the activities of governmental bodies to the citizenry to whom they are responsible is the cornerstone of a democratic, republic. Recently there has been a disturbing trend, at every level of government, toward repealing laws that permit access to public records and doing away with legislation that requires the 'people's business' be conducted in the full light of day. From city councils who wish to restore closed door meetings to congressional efforts to dismantle the Freedom of Information Act, there are those who would sacrifice precious freedoms in the name of temporary convenience. We of the Utah Press Association wish to make our position clear to all .those who would inquire. The Press has been, throughout our history, responsible for providing information to our fellow citizens. We must defend the constitutional right of a free people to inquire into the activity of those whom they have chosen to be stewards of the awesome power of government. If the United States of America is to continue in freedom we must take this responsibility seriously. We intend to resist any effort to weaken these fundatmental rights whenever and wherever they are challenged. Those who sacrificed so that we might enjoy the fruits of a free society would expect nothing less of this generation. |