( CNN ) -- I cried several times yesterday . This happened as I was reviewing scripts for CNN 's upcoming coverage of the one-year anniversary of the Sandy Hook tragedy in Newtown , Connecticut . I also cried as I reviewed a script about the bravery of Antoinette Tuff who single-handedly prevented a similar tragedy from occurring in a suburban Atlanta elementary school . I have an almost 8-year-old daughter and a 10-year-old son . If I had lived in Newtown , my daughter could have been in one of the first-grade classrooms that was targeted . It is heartbreaking to think of what could have been and whether my children would have survived . My heart goes out to all of those who experienced such unthinkable loss . CNN was not involved in the Associated Press ' litigation to gain release of the Newtown 911 calls , but I applaud the court 's decision in support of open government and public access to government records . I have read and heard some of the powerful and emotional pleas of families , attorneys and their supporters who felt the 911 calls should have been withheld . Yet I fully believe that access to public records is crucial , even if painful . We can never learn the truth about our society and its ills and inspirations without full access to public documents . No matter how well-meaning public officials may be in withholding records , it should not be left to them to determine what our reality is . As a media lawyer , it is inevitable that I will be faced with advising on painful stories and the disturbing videos , images and sound that go along with them . We filed a lawsuit for access to the Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts , and we have recently gone to court to gain release of all records and data relating to the death of Valdosta , Georgia , teen Kendrick Johnson . Some images I can not bear to look at -- or sounds to hear -- but I will do so because I know we are committed to shedding light on important stories and issues . And maybe one day those stories will make a difference and prevent future tragedies and suffering of other families . I realize not everybody is going to agree with how CNN handled the 911 calls , but one thing we can all agree on is that we need to hug our kids tighter . I did that as soon as I walked in the door from work yesterday evening . The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of Johnita Due .
Johnita said : As a mother , I understand the importance of events such as these . She says that as a media lawyer , she sees the need for the release of public records . ` ` We can never learn the truth about our country ... without full access to public records ''