This excellent recent editorial from the Winston-Salem Journal reminds us that our battles for open records and a shield law continue, despite changes in Washington. The Bush administration was one of the most secretive in recent memory. It resisted efforts to improve the Freedom of Information Act and strongly opposed a federal shield law that enjoyed broad bipartisan support. As a new president and Congress take office, now is an opportune time to remind readers - and lawmakers - of the vital importance of protecting the free flow of information.

The Sunshine in Government Initiative (SGI), a coalition of media groups that includes ASNE, already is lobbying the Obama transition team and new congressional leaders. You can learn more about SGI's recommendations by going here.

You can also editorially call for Congress to once again take up the federal shield law, which died in the last Congress despite widespread backing. The proposed Free Flow of Information Act, which would provide a qualified shield for reporters, handily passed the House. But a packed year-end congressional calendar prevented it from getting consideration by the full Senate, although it appeared to have sufficient votes for passage - including backing from then-Sen. Barack Obama and his GOP presidential rival, John McCain.

You can help by keeping these issues on the front burner. Lawmakers pay attention to editorials from newspapers in their district or state. And there's no better time to publish them than now, when the legislative agenda is being set. You also can use this year's Sunshine Week (March 15-21) as a focal point for stories, columns, editorials and cartoons about the importance of open government and a free press. For more information, visit:  this site. 

-Contributed by Andy Alexander, co-chair, ASNE FOI Committee, andya@coxnews.com

P.S. On Monday, The New York Times published this editorial on open records.