Government Transparency

We work daily to improve citizens' access to public records and meetings through litigation, public education and advocacy.

White and purple image of the RI State House.

Learn more about open government, and our work championing government transparency through litigation, advocacy, and education.

Why is open government important?

  • Openness in government is a linchpin of democracy, ensuring that the voters have the information they need to choose their leaders and then evaluate their performance in office.
  • Public access to information is an essential tool in the fight against corruption in government.
  • Public access to information can save taxpayer dollars and expose poor government practices.

The public has the right to know what its government is doing. After all, isn't our government supposed to be "of the people, by the people, and for the people"?

More resources:

The Latest

News & Commentary
Brown University Police Car

Judge Refuses to Dismiss Lawsuit Against Brown University Police for Withholding Arrest Records from Journalists

Rhode Island Superior Court Associate Justice Shannon Signore rejected Brown University’s attempt to dismiss a lawsuit contesting Brown University police department’s refusal to provide copies of its arrest reports.
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News & Commentary
ACLU of RI Calls on Attorney General to Release Body Camera Footage of Police Shooting of Pawtucket Resident

ACLU of RI Calls on Attorney General to Release Body Camera Footage of Police Shooting of Pawtucket Resident

In a letter citing a lack of public transparency by the Pawtucket Police Department, the ACLU of Rhode Island today called on Attorney General (AG) Peter Neronha to immediately release all police body worn camera (BWC) footage of the shooting last month of resident Sebastian Yidana.
News & Commentary
Blue graphic with white and green graphics of a screenshot of an X (formerly twitter) account being password protected and a person typing on a smartphone.

ACLU Sues Over Social Media Censorship by Smithfield School District

ACLU of RI cooperating attorneys filed a federal lawsuit challenging the Smithfield School District’s actions in blocking a local school critic from the official X accounts of the district.
Court Case
Jun 09, 2025

Mayer v. Town of Smithfield

Court Case
Jun 02, 2025

Bilow v. Brown University Department of Public Safety

Court Case
Oct 22, 2023

GoLocalProv, LLC v. Providence Public School District

Cooperating attorneys for the American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island today filed a lawsuit against the Providence Public School District (PPSD) and the City of Providence on behalf of GoLocalProv, LLC, for providing late and inappropriately redacted public records information
Court Case
Jun 01, 2022

Doe v. RI