As the “opposition party” and “fourth estate,” journalists have an obligation to pursue the truth now more than ever. Because information is so widely available at the click of a mouse or the swipe of a phone, misinformation can spread rapidly as well. Journalists must strive to uncover the truth and report it accurately and fairly.

Throughout US history, journalists have helped uncover and right some massive wrongs such as Watergate, labor abuses, war crimes, environmental hazards, and many other scandals that have led to greater protection for the average person. More recently and locally, journalists have uncovered abuses within the Wisconsin Veterans Hospital system, unsafe conditions at juvenile detention facilities, lead in school drinking fountains, campaign financing violations, and much more.

Through their hard work and diligence, journalists in Wisconsin help ensure that people are protected and those whom we entrust with great power in decision-making keep our best interests and needs at heart. Some of these people were recently recognized at the Wisconsin Newspaper Association’s annual Wisconsin Watchdog Awards. Awardees successfully enforced open records laws with local school boards and police stations, pushed for ending closed caucuses in Wisconsin, uncovered abuses at hospitals, prisons, and the Social Security Administration, and exercised their rights to open records and public information.

The nature of the discoveries highlighted at the banquet and their effects on people’s lives demonstrated the importance of journalistic watchdogs. Also notable is that three of the awardees are not journalists, serving as a reminder that anyone has the right to and can access important records. In this time of “fake news” and “alternative facts,” everyone needs to understand their rights under the federal Freedom of Information Act and local open records and meetings laws.

These laws are vital in ensuring we have open and transparent governments, safe drinking water, appropriate health care, consumer protections, enforcement of environmental and health care regulations, and an overall better quality of life and democracy.

To learn more about your right to know, visit www.watchdog.org or www.foia.gov.