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• Both Attorney General Marty Jackley and Gov. Dennis Daugaard are looking at backing eight bills that are designed to make South Dakota a more open state. Jackley doesn't have any objections to the proposed changes, and Daugaard's staff is working to make sure the wording is correct before the bills are proposed to lawmakers.
• We encourage lawmakers to consider the bills from the presumption of openness. The bills are intended to get the state more in line with giving citizens the right to view information.
• Most states, for example, release criminal mug shots. South Dakota law enforcement agencies are not required to do so. One of the bills would require state agencies to release a description of any databases they have, to give the public more information about what is available.
• Other bills would extend open meeting laws to advisory bodies and open up some email conversations to ensure public boards are doing their work in public.
• The committee had representatives with differing, yet well-rounded, views on the open government issues, and they came forward with reasonable recommendations. Lawmakers, too, might have additional bills they bring forward that would shine more light on the public's business. We encourage that.
• With backing from the attorney general and governor, we hope lawmakers and residents feel comfortable that opening up some government information is best for everyone. There might be a long way to go before all records that should be public fall into that category, but we're pleased to be starting the process with some agreed-upon initial changes.
• ___
• Rapid City Journal. Dec. 18, 2012
• Reality TV takes a look at state
• While we won't admit to being fans of what's called "reality TV," we are familiar with the genre and can see the appeal to viewers and TV producers.
• Viewers get to see real people doing real things and talking about real problems -- that's why it's called reality TV.
• For producers, it's cheap. No actors, no writers and no sets. If there's an audience, advertisers will buy ads, and the show makes money.
• That's entertainment.
• Now a Los Angeles television producer and casting director hopes to develop a reality-based TV series called "Men of South Dakota." Charisse Simonian is looking for a few good men, or at least a few "manly" men, from South Dakota who work outdoors at difficult or dangerous jobs.

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