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The Virginia Supreme Court has decisively ruled that local school boards cannot deny the public physical access to the rooms where official meetings are held, even if remote viewing options are available. By enforcing the principle that "free entry" under freedom of information laws means actual presence in the meeting space, the court rejected arguments that logistical constraints or past health protocols justified restricting in-person attendance. This establishes a critical precedent that public bodies cannot design meeting structures that artificially limit citizen participation. This ruling reinforces the fundamental tenet of open government by affirming that transparency requires tangible access, not just digital alternatives. It signals that public officials must prioritize in-person observation as the default standard for meetings, ensuring that the public can directly witness decision-making processes. By invalidating efforts to isolate proceedings from attendees, the decision strengthens legal protections against administrative tactics that attempt to obscure governmental activities from public scrutiny. For open data advocates, this case is vital because it confirms that physical transparency is a prerequisite for meaningful accountability. Without the ability to attend meetings in person, citizens cannot effectively monitor how public bodies operate or verify the integrity of the data and decisions being made. The ruling underscores that true openness demands more than just publishing records; it requires unhindered public access to the forums where those records originate, preventing officials from using procedural hurdles to diminish democratic oversight.

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Published on 2023-04-28

Open Data

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