Atlanta Forward / Another View: Protecting this right is a priority

By Thurbert Baker

Georgia Attorney General

We all must remain vigilant to ensure that openness in government is maintained and improved.

The ability of citizens to know what government is doing with its power and our tax money is the linchpin for holding government accountable.

Like many critical rights that we enjoy as citizens of a free nation, our right to access and monitor our government is not one that is likely to be taken away suddenly or all at once.

It is a right that can be chipped away gradually — maybe even without ill intentions by those who undermine it.

As attorney general of Georgia, I’ve made protecting open government a top priority.

We’ve aggressively taken on powerful interests at the state and local levels to ensure that you know how government power and your tax dollars are being used.

I encourage my successor to make open government a top priority as well.