by Paul Caccamise
Daily Lobo
Debra Gersh Hernandez, ----national coordinator of Sunshine Week, said she and other open government activists are realistic.
"No one here argues that government should be totally open," Hernandez said. "That would be against national security and privacy."
Sunshine Week celebrates the importance of open government. Newspapers, Web sites, radio and television broadcasters take part in Sunshine Week by running news stories, editorials or broadcasts on open government issues. It is celebrated March 13-18.
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"Sunshine Week is to make sure there isn't unnecessary, or too much secrecy," Hernandez said. "We want people to understand that government should be held accountable for its actions."
UNM is also involved in Sunshine Week.
University Libraries and the UNM Law Libraries are sponsoring a free video conference discussing open government in the conference center at the Continuing Education Building.
Johann van Reenen, the assistant dean for Public and Research Services at University Libraries and organizer of the event, said it is natural for libraries to sponsor such an event.
"Libraries are at the forefront of allowing people access to information," he said.
Van Reenen said the video conference was not organized to create open government policy, but to keep the policies in place.
"Sometimes we do change our policy after the discussion may bring a few things to light," he said.
This year's conference will have panelists from the National Security Archive at George Washington University and the Florida First Amendment Foundation.
Van Reenen said the conference room holds about 50 people.
Jedrek Lamb is one student who plans on being at the conference. Lamb is a member of the Progressive Action Coalition at UNM.
"One thing I've always been told is that if you have to hide something, then you shouldn't be doing it," he said.
Lamb said the public is ambivalent to the government keeping information from them. He said that's because it doesn't affect them personally.
"People need to learn that the government is abusing its power. It will not be seen unless it happens personally," he said. "The government uses the guise of national security, but we must realize what part of the country is being protected."
Lamb said the government keeps secrets when dealing with unwanted social organizations, specifically those striving for improvements in health care and the environment. He said Sunshine Week is a step toward leveling the playing field between the public and the government.
"They can see my medical records, Internet usage and tax records," he said. "I just want the ability to reciprocate."
The video conference will be held Monday at 11 a.m. in Room G at the UNM Continuing Education Building.
