As readers can see in the column next to this editorial, the assault against easy access to public information, and the public’s right to know, never seems to end.

These days the arguments are that Internet access makes it easier than ever to access that information, which is true to a degree, but the reality is there still are many segments of society that either do not have Internet access, reliable access or the equipment to access it.

Last week Presque Isle commissioners voted to no longer print their meeting minutes in the Presque Isle County Advance and instead, publish them at their web page on the Internet.

We were disappointed by that action, which seems a step backward to public transparency. Yes, they might save money by doing so, but is the little amount that is saved worth the hassle of losing the transparency of their actions when it was printed in the newspaper of record in the county?

The proponents of such moves always point to the cost savings. They always point to available Internet access. Trust us, the revenue any newspaper makes from printing such minutes is a small portion of its overall budget. And, as far as access, technology is great when it works, but just driving from Rogers City to Alpena on US-23, readers will lose cell phone service for part of the journey. Such is life Up North.

And, statistics show there still are many homes without reliable broadband service throughout the region. Why then do government entities even advocate such an approach?

By printing an official record of their action in a newspaper, commissioners keep themselves accountable to the taxpayers and voters of Presque Isle County. They have a permanent record of their action that is in print, where anyone can cut it out and preserve it. By moving where that record is kept electronically, that accountability is compromised.

In a study the Michigan Press Association commissioned several years ago, a statewide poll revealed 71 percent of Michigan residents said they trust a local newspaper or its website, while only 19 percent believe a government website is effective.

We would urge county residents to ask the commissioners to reconsider their action.