he electors shall be advised of the performance of public officials and of the decisions that are reached in public activity and in making public policy. Toward this end, this act is adopted, making it possible for them, or their representatives, to learn and to report fully the activities of their public officials.
Section 5. Open Public Meetings. Except as otherwise specifically provided by law, all meetings formal or informal, special or regular, of the governing bodies of all municipalities, counties, townships, and School Districts, and all boards, bureaus, commissions, or organizations of the State of Arkansas, except Grand Juries, supported wholly or in part by public funds, or expending public funds, shall be public meetings.
The time and place of each regular meeting shall be furnished to anyone who requests the information.
In the event of emergency, or special, meetings the person calling such a meeting shall notify the representatives of the newspapers, radio stations and television stations . . . at least two hours before such a meeting takes place in order that the public shall have representatives at the meeting.
Executive sessions will be permitted only for the purpose of discussing or considering employment, appointment, promotion, demotion, disciplining, or resignation of any public officer or employee.
Executive sessions must never be called for the purpose of defeating the reason or the Spirit of the Freedom of Information Act.
