Newspapers make their case today

Today is "Newspaper Day at the Capital," an event created by the Nevada Press Association to familiarize publishers and editors with the workings of the Nevada Legislature and to make our case on issues we think are important to our readers.

Representatives from many of the state's newspapers will be in town today for a tour and to talk with elected officials. Like the towns they serve, the newspapers are both large and small and have a broad range of topics they cover in their news columns and write about on their opinion pages.

Seldom do newspapers speak with a single voice, in Nevada or anywhere. This day, however, will be something of an exception. Because there are issues we believe are central to our responsibilities as watchdogs of government and as the eyes and ears of the public, the Nevada Press Association initiated this event to draw attention to a few key principles.

We believe strongly in open government and, as Nevada law describes it, the requirement that actions of all public bodies "be taken openly and that their deliberations be conducted openly."

As simple as the concept may seem, the state's laws on open meetings and open records frequently are tested and interpreted. They likely will be again this legislative session. The Nevada Press Association and its member newspapers assume a role in monitoring legislation that promises to strengthen or threatens to weaken the laws guaranteeing public access to meetings and records.

Beyond access, government also has a responsibility, through public notices, to alert residents and taxpayers of proposed actions which may affect them. Such notices are published county by county with taxpayer dollars in Nevada's newspapers, which we believe is the best means to keep the public informed.

During the legislative session, the Carson City-based Nevada Press Association is represented by its executive director, Kent Lauer, on these issues and a variety of others.

The press is known as the Fourth Estate for its ability to shape public debate outside the halls of government. Today we step inside the halls for a change.