Virtual light: Right to know on the Internet

THE INTERNET gives public officials a whole new way to circumvent New Hampshire's right to know law. And unfortunately New Hampshire is not free of government officials who wish to keep secrets from the public. Thankfully, a new House bill would make it illegal to hold public meetings in secret over the Internet.

House Bill 626, introduced by Rep. John Thomas, received unanimous support from the House Judiciary Committee last week. It would strengthen the state's right to know law by requiring the public disclosure of any communications among a quorum of a public body, and by clarifying that electronic communications are covered under the right to know law.

Read more: NH Union Leader