Access to public records in electronic form in Tennessee

This research showed how state and local governments in Tennessee are providing public access to computerized records, and it showed how daily newspapers are using electronic records. While the study does not attempt to rank Tennessee with other states, the research produced evidence that some states, especially Florida, are years ahead in providing access to records stored in computers. The use of computers in Tennessee compares favorably with Florida. The disparity is seen when the use of computers to store, manipulate and retrieve data is compared to the availability to the public of that data in computer form. Nearly 90 percent of record custodians responding to a survey said that at least some of their records were computerized; less than a third said they could provide those records to the public in electronic form.

Further study showed that Tennessee's Public Records Law does not adequately address the issues regarding computerized public records.

This research also included a survey of daily newspapers in the state. That survey indicated that newspapers have not yet pursued the use of government databases in any systematic ways and are behind journalists in Florida and many other states.

If Tennessee citizens are to have adequate information about government in the computer age, some changes must be made. These include an updated public records law, leadership in the legislature that advocates access and funding at the state and local level that would ensure all appropriate government agencies can computerize in a way that makes records easily accessible. News media also have an important responsibility. They must take advantage of the technology to improve they way they report and also work for legislation to improve access for the public.