Florida’s daily newspapers will publish articles and editorials on Sunday reminding citizens of the state’s strong public records laws at a time lawmakers are proposing an increasing number of exemptions. Spearheaded by the Florida Society of Newspaper Editors and the Tallahassee-based First Amendment Foundation, 35 papers will participate in the “Sunshine Sunday” initiative, which began last year to stress the importance of maintaining an open government. The initiative comes at a time when lawmakers are seeking to tighten access to public records following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The most publicized measure limited public access to autopsy photos. That bill was initiated at the request of NASCAR great Dale Earnhardt’s widow and was signed into law by Gov. Jeb Bush just three weeks after it was introduced during the 2001 session.( Wilmington Star )(3-15-2003)
