Government Transparency
We work daily to improve citizens' access to public records and meetings through litigation, public education and advocacy.
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
ACLU of RI Report Calls for Strengthening Remote Access Policies of City and Town Councils, School Committees
“The importance of allowing residents to follow what’s happening in their communities, and have a voice even if they cannot physically be at meetings, cannot be overstated."
ACLU of Rhode Island Raises Concerns About Proposed Amendments to State’s Body-Worn Camera Regulations
“Body-worn camera footage is an important tool for police accountability, but the proposed amendments do not benefit Rhode Islanders, or make police more transparent.”
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.
Cases, Campaigns & Legislation
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
Stay Informed
Sign up to be the first to hear about how to take action.
By completing this form, I agree to receive occasional emails per the terms of the ACLU’s privacy statement.
By completing this form, I agree to receive occasional emails per the terms of the ACLU’s privacy statement.