F. Addressing government suits against disclosure.

Although we know of no published cases involving a government suit against disclosure of public records, a declaratory judgment action filed by a governmental body under the former open meetings law in Alabama provides guidance if such an action should arise. In Huntsville-Madison County Airport Authority v. Huntsville Times, 564 So. 2d 904 (Ala. 1990), the Huntsville-Madison County Airport Authority claimed that the Huntsville Times newspaper "had accused it of conduct in violation of the [former] 'Sunshine Law.'" Id. at 904. The Authority brought a declaratory judgment action against the newspaper seeking answers to questions regarding whether the Authority was governed by the former Sunshine Law and, if so, to what extent. Id. at 905. The newspaper filed a motion to dismiss the action, asserting multiple grounds for dismissal, "including the lack of a justiciable controversy, prohibition against advisory opinions, failure to join indispensable parties, and failure to state a claim upon which relief could be granted." Id. The court granted the newspaper's motion and dismissed the Authority's action, holding that the Authority's complaint did not present a justiciable controversy, but rather sought an advisory opinion. Id.