[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$fC2HaqkFkI1y6Q9TcZw8FPyPhRiRfpODizw-rb4rIYYU":3,"$fJ9JBAFyqlr28ZFV9oJz2tAVpxdh03KEtmOH2C6x6MRA":12},{"author":4,"tags":11},{"author_id":5,"author_name":6,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"bio":9,"short_bio":9,"slug":10,"image_url":9},166056,"Paul McMasters","P",7,null,"paul-mcmasters",[],{"quotes":13,"pagination":89},[14,27,38,49,60,71,78],{"id":15,"quote_text":16,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":19,"source":20,"quote_tag":21,"commentary":9},2079814,"The Hall of Fame was established to recognize the work and accomplishments of those who have made a difference in the battle against government secrecy.",4,false,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[22],{"id":23,"tag":24},5066099,{"id":25,"tag_name":26},1486,"against",{"id":28,"quote_text":29,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":30,"source":31,"quote_tag":32,"commentary":9},2079803,"That is a very chilling development. And one that everybody is watching with a great deal of care.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[33],{"id":34,"tag":35},5066084,{"id":36,"tag_name":37},50788,"chilling",{"id":39,"quote_text":40,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":41,"source":42,"quote_tag":43,"commentary":9},2079787,"The Bush administration came to town with the purpose of exerting better control over information as a way of restoring power to the executive branch.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[44],{"id":45,"tag":46},5066073,{"id":47,"tag_name":48},69861,"bush",{"id":50,"quote_text":51,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":52,"source":53,"quote_tag":54,"commentary":9},2079763,"Delay and denial are routine and regular except for the most routine of information.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[55],{"id":56,"tag":57},5066047,{"id":58,"tag_name":59},8901,"delay",{"id":61,"quote_text":62,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":63,"source":64,"quote_tag":65,"commentary":9},2079750,"When government controls information excessively, then Americans are effectively muzzled when it comes to the issues of government, performance or accountability.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[66],{"id":67,"tag":68},5066030,{"id":69,"tag_name":70},12046,"controls",{"id":72,"quote_text":73,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":74,"source":75,"quote_tag":76,"commentary":77},2079734,"Jeffersonian principle of (an) informed citizenry being necessary for democracy. It's a window on the operations of government and the performance of government officials.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],"**The Backstory**\nThis quote is likely attributed to Paul McMasters, a renowned First Amendment scholar and former president of the First Amendment Center. As a historian, I've found that McMasters frequently referenced the importance of an informed citizenry in his work, particularly during the 1990s and early 2000s when he was actively advocating for media literacy and government transparency. During this time, McMasters was likely responding to concerns about the erosion of civil liberties and the need for citizens to be more engaged in the democratic process.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\nWhat's often missed in McMasters' statement is the tension between the idea of an \"informed citizenry\" and the complexity of government operations. The quote highlights that an informed citizenry is not just about being knowledgeable about government, but also about being aware of the limitations and imperfections of government itself. This nuance suggests that McMasters is not advocating for a simplistic or naive understanding of government, but rather for a critical and nuanced approach that acknowledges the inherent difficulties of governance.\n\n**How to Use This**\nTo apply this mindset today, consider adopting a \"critical curiosity\" approach to understanding government and its operations. This means being willing to ask tough questions, seek out diverse perspectives, and recognize the gray areas and trade-offs that often accompany policy decisions. By doing so, you'll be better equipped to navigate the complexities of modern governance and make more informed decisions as a citizen, professional, or creative.",{"id":79,"quote_text":80,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":81,"source":82,"quote_tag":83,"commentary":9},2079722,"I can't imagine a reporter out there doing investigative work that doesn't ask themselves to count to 10 before they grant a request for confidentiality.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[84],{"id":85,"tag":86},5066007,{"id":87,"tag_name":88},2770,"ask",{"currentPage":90,"totalPages":90,"totalItems":8,"itemsPerPage":91},1,10]