Transparency Projectof Georgia

About the Project

The Transparency Project of Georgia provides information for citizens, educates public officials and assists the media in the interest of creating greater openness in local government while holding elected representatives accountable.

The project began with the work of journalists advocating for openness in local government. Much of the original work was driven by the belief that government belongs to the governed, not the governing, and that citizens have both the right and the responsibility to hold their elected officials accountable.

Our Mission

We believe that a transparent government is a better government. When meetings are open, records are accessible, and decisions are made in the light of public scrutiny, elected officials are more likely to act in the best interest of the communities they serve.

Our mission is to ensure that every citizen in Georgia understands their rights under the state's Open Meetings Act and Open Records Act, and has the tools and knowledge to exercise those rights effectively.

What We Do

The Transparency Project provides a range of resources for citizens, public officials, and media professionals:

  • Educational Guides — Detailed information about police records access, executive session laws, public notice requirements, and more.
  • Free Editorials — Opinion pieces on government transparency that can be republished by any publication at no charge.
  • Sunshine Q&A — A complimentary service answering citizens' questions about open government, operated in partnership with the Georgia First Amendment Foundation.
  • Case Coverage — Reporting on enforcement actions under Georgia's transparency laws, helping citizens understand how these laws work in practice.

Our Founder

The Transparency Project of Georgia was created by Jim Zachary, an award-winning editorial writer and longstanding advocate for open government. Zachary is also the creator of the Tennessee Transparency Project and has been a featured speaker at the Tennessee Press Association and Georgia Press Institute.

Through his work, Zachary has championed the principle that government transparency is not a partisan issue but a fundamental requirement of democratic governance. His editorials and advocacy have reached communities across the Southeast, inspiring citizens to take an active role in holding their government accountable.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the Transparency Project of Georgia founded?

The Transparency Project of Georgia was founded by Jim Zachary, an award-winning editorial writer and longstanding advocate for open government. The project grew out of years of journalism work focused on holding local government officials accountable to the citizens they serve.

Zachary also created the Tennessee Transparency Project, bringing his experience from that initiative to Georgia. His work has been recognized by journalism organizations across the Southeast, and he has been a featured speaker at the Tennessee Press Association and the Georgia Press Institute.

The project was established to address a growing need for transparency advocacy in Georgia. As local government bodies increasingly operated behind closed doors, citizens needed resources to understand their rights and tools to hold their representatives accountable.

Since its founding, the Transparency Project has provided free educational resources, published editorials that can be republished at no charge, and operated the Sunshine Q&A service in partnership with the Georgia First Amendment Foundation.

What is the mission of the Transparency Project?

The mission of the Transparency Project of Georgia is to promote openness and accountability in local government. The project achieves this by providing information for citizens, educating public officials, and assisting the media in their oversight role.

The organization believes that government belongs to the governed and that elected officials have a duty to operate transparently. This means holding open meetings, providing access to public records, and ensuring that citizens can meaningfully participate in the democratic process.

The project focuses on practical education, helping citizens understand their specific rights under Georgia’s Open Meetings Act and Open Records Act. Rather than abstract advocacy, the project provides actionable guidance that citizens can use to engage with their local government.

The Transparency Project also serves as a bridge between citizens and the legal framework of transparency. By translating complex legal requirements into accessible language, the project empowers ordinary people to exercise their rights without needing legal expertise.

How does the Transparency Project help citizens?

The Transparency Project helps citizens in several practical ways. First, it provides educational resources about Georgia’s transparency laws, including guides on topics such as police records access, executive session requirements, and public notice obligations.

Second, the project operates the Sunshine Q&A service in partnership with the Georgia First Amendment Foundation. This service allows citizens to submit specific questions about open government issues and receive expert guidance on their rights and options.

Third, the project publishes free editorials on government transparency themes that can be republished by any publication without charge. These editorials help spread awareness about the importance of open government to communities across Georgia.

Finally, the Transparency Project serves as a clearinghouse for information about transparency law enforcement actions, such as the landmark City of Cumming case. By publicizing these cases, the project helps citizens understand that transparency laws have teeth and that violations carry real consequences.

Does the Transparency Project provide legal advice?

The Transparency Project of Georgia does not provide legal advice. The information and guidance offered through the project’s resources, including the Sunshine Q&A service, are educational in nature and should not be construed as legal counsel.

Citizens with specific legal concerns about open meetings or open records issues are encouraged to consult with their own attorney. An attorney can provide personalized legal advice based on the specific facts and circumstances of each situation.

However, the project does help citizens understand the general legal framework of transparency in Georgia. By explaining the provisions of the Open Meetings Act and Open Records Act in plain language, the project helps citizens identify when they may need legal assistance and what questions to ask.

The Georgia First Amendment Foundation, which partners with the Transparency Project, can also provide referrals to attorneys who specialize in open government law. These resources ensure that citizens have access to professional legal guidance when their transparency rights are at stake.

How can I support the Transparency Project of Georgia?

There are several ways to support the Transparency Project of Georgia and its mission of promoting open government. The most important way is to exercise your own transparency rights by attending public meetings, filing open records requests, and holding your elected officials accountable.

You can also help spread the message by sharing the project’s resources with friends, family, and community members. The free editorials published by the project can be republished by any publication, making them an easy way to raise awareness about transparency issues in your community.

Supporting the Georgia First Amendment Foundation, which partners with the Transparency Project, is another effective way to contribute. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the foundation relies on public support to fund its educational programs and advocacy work.

Finally, you can report transparency violations when you witness them. By documenting instances where government bodies violate the Open Meetings Act or Open Records Act and reporting them to the Attorney General’s office, you help ensure that these laws are enforced and that government officials respect the public’s right to transparency.