What others say: No more hidden messages

  • Monday, March 23, 2015 5:15pm
  • Opinion

The revelation that former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton used a personal email server for White House business — and may have deleted more than half her emails — is the latest example of politicians doing the public’s bidding in shadowed back alleys.

If public officials are to be held accountable for their actions, the voting public must be aware of the decisions made on their behalf. That level of transparency can’t happen when private emails are used, let alone when a politician has a secured email server.

We saw this happen in Alaska in 2008, when former half-term governor Sarah Palin was found to be using a Yahoo! email account for state business. What followed was a long, drawn-out process as Palin turned over her private emails. The attention to Palin’s use of a Yahoo! account drew the attention of a young password cracker who figured out Palin’s email password and — after a court battle — was sentenced to a year in prison for accessing an account that by all rights should have been visible to Alaskans.

Email communications by public officials are supposed to be documented and archived for future reference, including through Freedom of Information Act requests by the press and general public. It’s arguably the best form of checks and balances available because those serving in a public capacity are aware that all they do and say may be viewed and scrutinized. Sidestepping this procedure obscures the inner workings of government and renders impotent those entrusted to be the public’s watchdog. In short, we don’t know what we don’t know. With Clinton’s emails, we likely never will because Clinton is the one who is deciding what will and won’t be released (providing the message wasn’t deleted).

In a time where the federal government is accessing the public’s phone records and communications without need for a warrant, it’s nothing short of hypocrisy for government officials to skirt around public information laws pertaining to them.

This issue of transparency is about more than just emails. More and more business is being conducted via text messaging, which doesn’t fall under the same regulations as government email correspondences.

We must demand better of those representing our best interests, both on the national stage and closer to home.

The Freedom of Information Act allows you to seek information from your government, but there are an unfortunate number of exceptions that were intended specifically but now used liberally. If you haven’t tried to request information through FOIA, we challenge you to do so. We suspect that you’ll find what we have: That the response will be limited, that you’ll be blocked by time or cost, and that you’ll be frustrated as we are.

It’s our job as a newspaper to investigate and seek hidden information. You should care, too.

When we can’t get information, you can’t either. It’s your rights that are being taken away. It’s your freedom that’s at stake.

— Juneau Empire, March 17

More in Opinion

Alex Koplin. (courtesy photo)
Opinion: Public schools do much more than just teach the three Rs

Isn’t it worth spending the money to provide a quality education for each student that enters our schools?

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Letter to the Editor: Law enforcement officers helped ensure smooth, secure energy conference

Their visible commitment to public safety allowed attendees to focus fully on collaboration, learning, and the important conversations shaping our path forward.

Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo
The present-day KTOO public broadcasting building, built in 1959 for the U.S. Army’s Alaska Communications System Signal Corps, is located on filled tidelands near Juneau’s subport. Today vehicles on Egan Drive pass by the concrete structure with satellite dishes on the roof that receive signals from NPR, PBS and other sources.
My Turn: Stand for the community radio, not culture war optics

Alaskans are different and we pride ourselves on that. If my vehicle… Continue reading

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) delivers his annual speech to the Alaska Legislature on Thursday, March 20, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Opinion: Sullivan, Trump and the rule of lawlessness

In September 2023, U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan established his own Alaska Federal… Continue reading

UAA Provost Denise Runge photographed outside the Administration and Humanities Building at the University of Alaskas Anchorage. (courtesy photo)
Opinion: UAA’s College of Health — Empowering Alaska’s future, one nurse at a time

At the University of Alaska Anchorage, we understand the health of our… Continue reading

U.S. Rep. Nick Begich III, R-Alaska, address a joint session of the Alaska Legislature on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Opinion: A noncongressman for Alaska?

It’s right to ask whether Nick Begich is a noncongressman for Alaska.… Continue reading

Boats return to the Homer Harbor at the end of the fishing period for the 30th annual Winter King Salmon Tournament on Saturday, March 23, 2024 in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Opinion: Funding sustainable fisheries

Spring is always a busy season for Alaska’s fishermen and fishing communities.… Continue reading

Gov. Mike Dunleavy holds a press conference on Monday, May 19, 2025, to discuss his decision to veto an education bill. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Opinion: On fiscal policy, Dunleavy is a governor in name only

His fiscal credibility is so close to zero that lawmakers have no reason to take him seriously.

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, speaks in support overriding Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s veto of House Bill 69 at the Alaska Capitol in Juneau, Alaska, on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)
Capitol Corner: Finishing a session that will make a lasting impact

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman reports back from Juneau.

Courtesy/Chris Arend
Opinion: Protect Alaska renewable energy projects

The recently passed House budget reconciliation bill puts important projects and jobs at risk.

Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, speaks in support of debating an omnibus education bill in the Alaska House Chambers on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024 in Juneau, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Capitol Corner: Choosing our priorities wisely

Rep. Justin Ruffridge reports back from Juneau.