In Alabama, the rights of citizens to inspect and copy public writings and the exceptions are provided in the Open Records Law under Al. Code §36-12-40 et seq.  Pursuant to the statute, every citizen has a right to inspect and take a copy of any public writing of the state, except as otherwise expressly provided by statute.  The state has further provided freedom of information under Al. Code §36-25A-1 et seq, which is called the Open Meetings Law.  The Open Meetings Law provides that it is the policy of the state of Alabama that during meetings as defined in the statute, the deliberative process of governmental bodies shall be open to the public.