It was heartening to see several recent op-ed page pieces supporting Sunshine Week, the national carve-out where publishers, editors, journalists and citizens highlight the necessity of access to government information, and the push for better access to meetings, minutes, lobbying money, correspondence and public vote tallies of our elected officials. Sadly, the commonwealth rates as one of the least transparent of all states when it comes to government information access. Much that goes on at the State House and between elected officials and private interests still lingers in backroom shadows. That is anathema to a healthy democracy.

Also, on a more granular level, there are big concerns as well. As a journalist and writer, I’m often approached by people commenting on news reporting, or their personal events, letters or opinion pieces that either appeared or did not appear in the local paper or on its website. I always follow up by asking: Are you a subscriber? If they say no, I deflate a bit and ask why? — noting that subscriptions are key revenue sources for struggling local journalism today.

Democracy has been dependent on the work of professional journalists and a free press from time immemorial. It requires more transparency, more access — and a healthy, supported media where news is reported by professionals. Support journalism, pay for that democratic privilege and the access. You’ll be helping defend the future of democracy. And, as noted in earlier pieces, go to Act On Mass, to demand your elected officials throw their support behind the Sunlight Act.

Karl Meyer, member of the Society of Environmental Journalists

Greenfield