Coalition to focus on a more open government
Group's priorities include statewide public records compliance audit

The Tennessean

            Protecting and improving the state's public access laws is the mission of a statewide coalition formed earlier this year, organizers said.

            Priorities for the Tennessee Coalition for Open Government include carrying out a statewide public records compliance audit and developing a Web site (www.tcog.info) as a resource for journalists and citizens who are having problems getting public in-formation.

            Tom Griscom, publisher and executive editor of the Chattanooga Times Free Press, has been elected the coalition's president.

            ''We believe more attention needs to be paid to what is happening to Tennessee's open government laws if we are to preserve and improve them,'' Griscom said in a news release. ''TCOG will give all media in Tennessee and citizens of this state a role in protecting the public's right to know about the actions of government. It allows us to be more proactive in dealing with access problems.''

            Tennessean Political Editor Frank Gibson will be the coalition's part-time executive director.

            Gibson has served as chairman of Tennessee Press Association's Freedom of Information Committee since 1995. The Tennessean has given Gibson a part-time professional leave of absence to manage TCOG's start-up. TCOG is a nonprofit educational and research group created as an alliance among the TPA, the Tennessee Association of Broadcasters, the state's metropolitan daily newspapers, The Associated Press, and Society of Professional Journalists chapters in Nashville and Knoxville.

            — Staff Reports

To learn more

            For more information on the Tennessee Coalition for Open Government, contact Frank Gibson at 615-202-2685, e-mail tncog@comcast.net or write TCOG, P.O. Box 22248, Nashville, Tenn. 37202

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

© Copyright 2005 The Tennessean

A Gannett Co. Inc. newspaper Use of this site signifies that you agree to our terms of service (updated: 08/01/2001). Associated Press content is Copyrighted by The Associated Press.