Louis Brandeis wrote these words a century ago, before his appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court, to note the power of publicity as a cure for “social and industrial diseases” like the inequities fostered by the corporate monopolies of his time.

Today all states have “sunshine laws,” a catch-all term for statutes requiring openness in government – rules meant to guarantee access to public records and proceedings. Justice Brandeis would probably approve: Shed light on the workings of government and society is better off.

Transparency is now such a popular concept, it’s become something of a buzzword. Mayors, school boards, city councils, the president – public officials at every level tout their transparency initiatives. Indeed, the Internet has made it possible for governments to easily share important information – budgets, agendas, minutes, databases – like never before.