Resource offers journalists tips for questioning federal candidates about open government

The American Society of News Editors and OpenTheGovernment.org have created a government transparency resource to assist journalists in interviewing candidates running for federal jobs. The groups "have drafted open-government-related questions" in the hope that "they will be used broadly, by editorial boards, reporters covering the 2016 campaigns and interested members of the public who have an opportunity to speak with candidates. ... Transparency is vital for public accountability, and it needs to be a part of the greater conversation on democracy and open government."

Question topics center on federal open-government issues such as: Transparent policing and accountable law enforcement; the Freedom of Information Act; communications surveillance transparency; secrecy surrounding the drone-strikes programs; electronic records management; whistleblowers; open government collaborations between government and non-governmental organizations; and campaign finance.

“It’s important for the news media to remind federal officials and candidates that we care about open government," said Al Cross, director of the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, which publishes The Rural Blog.