California First Amendment Coalition v. Superior Court

Opinion

RAYE,

This case requires us to examine the delicate balance in a democracy between knowledge and power, accountability and quality decisionmaking. The issue arises in the midst of conflict that frequently results when a government agency denies access to documents desired by the press.

The California First Amendment Coalition (CFAC) seeks access to the documents, invoking the statutory imperative that “access to information concerning the conduct of the people’s business is a fundamental and necessary right” (Gov. Code, § 6250) 1 and stressing the abhorrence of “government by secrecy”…