Court Opinion

ID: 9858913
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-24 17:12:13.209393+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:57:56.677961
License: Public Domain

Becker, J.
I would follow the reasoning of MacEwan v. Holm, 226 Ore. 27, 359 P.2d 413, 85 A.L.R.2d 1086, which the majority rejects. I also feel that Coldwell v. Board of Public Works, 187 Cal. 510, 202 P. 879, supports plaintiffs’ position both in reasoning and result (though concerned with a broader statute). Other cases on the subject might be cited but would unduly extend this dissent.
No principle is growing in importance so fast as the principle that the people have a right to free access to government information. There may be competing principles which will override that right. But these must be clearly present and of paramount importance. The explosion of knowledge, the techniques of amassing both facts and opinions (expert and otherwise), the expense involved in gathering the information, the disparity in financial resources between the government and the individual members of the public, all point to the continually increasing need for freedom of access to knowledge.
*222.....The-issue is not the. beneficence of the-urban -renewal • coneépt. Pt is the- right of individual' citizens to have the basic information -upon which they' can make an informed.- citizens’ judgment and, if they desire, an informed citizens’ opposition, to a-specific project if and when proposed. It involves not only the-right to information but the right to meaningful dissent. Fear of dissent is not a legitimate reason for withholding public information. ..
• This case comes to us on motion to dismiss. We should reverse and remand. When the petition is reinstated defendants will still have the right to.plead and prove ultimate facts'giving rise to countervailing considerations of such weight as to justify non-access. If they cam do that the -information should be denied. If they cannot, the writ of mandamus should issue in recognition of a right essential to our form of government.