Florida Matters: Technology and Open Government (September 25, 2009)

On Television

Florida's International Culture

Join us as we explore the international diversity of the Bay Area. Florida is a melting pot, an international community that represents countries from around the globe. So what do foreigners bring to the table? We'll answer that question, literally, as we take a look at the types of food you can find in Florida thanks to our diverse international culture. We head to Pinellas county and meet some young immigrants in the public school system who are integrating into the American way of life. And Larry Elliston introduces us to a family who are happy to now call America home.

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On the Radio

Technology and Open Government

Staffers at Florida’s utility regulator have been in trouble lately for giving their cell phones’ instant messaging codes to power company officials. Turns out, that could violate the state’s broad public records and open government laws if there is no record kept of conversations. This week, we’ll look at the impact on open government of rapid changes in the ways we communicate with each other.

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Program Schedule

Radio - Tuesday at 6:30 PM | Sunday at 7:30 AM on WUSF 89.7 Friday at 7:00 PM on WSMR 89.1

Radio Guests

Mary Ellen KlasMiami Herald Tallahassee Bureau Chief

Joe AdamsAuthor of the “Florida Public Records Handbook” and Editorial Writer at the (Jacksonville) Florida Times-Union

Alexis LambertSunshine Attorney in the Florida Attorney General’s Office

Barbara PetersenPresident of the Florida First Amendment Foundation

Audio extras

Mary Ellen Klas describes how she thinks BlackBerry smart phones and other mobile technologies have changed the culture of government -- and the impact of news coverage about government. (1:36)

Klas explains how technology like mobile instant messaging (like PIN messaging) has made covering government more difficult for her and her colleagues. (1:02)

Barbara Petersen talks more about the Dale Earnhardt autopsy photo case in 2001 and balancing individuals' right to privacy and the public's right of access. (3:22)

Joe Adams talks about the increasing number of local communities creating pages on social networking sites like Facebook and how that can be beneficial for citizens as long as officials realize any communication that happens through the pages is still public record. (1:36)

Our panel looks to the future of technology and public records, saying the key is to maintain access to government for citizens and to use technology to do that. (3:36)

TV: Related Links

Ambient Technologies

Celebration Balloon Center

Small Business Development Center

Boizao Steakhouse

Chowhound

Queen of Sheba Ethiopian Restaurant

Tampa Taco Bus

Cilantro Indian Cuisine

Radio: Related Links

Attorney General’s Guide to Government in the Sunshine

Brechner Center for Freedom of Information

Final Report from the Commission on Open Government Reform

Florida First Amendment Foundation

Florida Public Records Handbook

Florida Public Service Commission

Governor’s Office of Open Government

Joe Adams’ I Dig Answers Web site

Naked Politics Blog - Miami Herald

The Buzz Blog - St. Petersburg Times

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Florida Matters

Florida Matters tackles tough issues, highlights little-known stories from our part of the world, and provides a greater perspective of what it means to live in the Sunshine State.