You are cordially invited:
 
THE DELAWARE COALITION FOR OPEN GOVERNMENT PRESENTS

Freedom of Information: A National Perspective
Speaker: Charles Davis, NFOIC Executive Director
University of Delaware's Goodstay Center
2600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Wilmington, Delaware
Thursday, February 5, 2009
6:30 p.m. - social gathering / light refreshments
7 p.m. - program
FREE and open to the public
 
Scroll down for directions to the Goodstay Center.
 
Charles Davis, the National Freedom of Information Coalition Executive Director, will take an in-depth look at why freedom of the press, guaranteed by the First Amendment, and the unrestricted free flow of information -- both cornerstones of democracy -- are under attack. Freedom of Information laws have been weakened, reporters are being subpoenaed to reveal confidential sources and the business of the federal government is increasingly shrouded in secrecy.
 
Gary Bass, director of OMB Watch, said in US News & World Report: "What has stunned us so much is how rapidly we've moved from a principle of ‘right to know' to one edging up to ‘need to know.'" Equally disturbing is how little the average American citizen knows or cares. Davis will answer questions such as: How did we get here? and What can be done about it?
 
Please join us. Collectively, we can exert a powerful force for good here in Delaware. If we the people are willing and eager to work together, we can help to bring about government of the First State that not only is of the people, by the people and for the people, but also is open to the people.
 
Click here for directions to the Goodstay Center, University of Delaware Wilmington Campus.
 
To ensure that we have enough seating for the February 5 DelCOG meeting at the U of D Goodstay Center, 2600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Wilmington, please reply to this message by Monday, Feb 1, if you plan to attend. Just click "Reply" and say you're coming -- and let us know if you're bringing friends. As some of you may not know until after the 1st, please come anyway if you find you can make it. Thanks!
 
We'll enjoy some light refreshments at 6:30 p.m., and Charles Davis will speak at 7 p.m. The meeting is free and open to the public.
 
I hope to see you on February 5.
 
Chris Carl, DelCOG President
 
Dir. of News & Programming
WDEL-AM & WDEL.com
302-753-6432
ccarl@wdel.com
DelCOG, an affiliate of the National Freedom of Information Coalition, is a statewide coalition of journalists, attorneys, representatives of civic associations, individuals and elected officials whose mission is to improve and increase public access to government.