What do Open Meeting Requirements mandate for public body meetings?

Open Meeting Requirements are designed to promote transparency and accountability in government by ensuring that the public has the opportunity to observe the decision-making processes of public bodies. The correct answer, which states that meetings must be open to the public, underscores the principle that citizens have the right to attend and participate in meetings where governance decisions are made.

This openness facilitates public awareness and engagement, allowing individuals to understand governmental operations better and hold officials accountable. Such requirements typically mandate that adequate notice of the meeting is given, and the meetings occur in locations accessible to the public.

The other options highlight scenarios that contradict the essence of Open Meeting Requirements. Conducting meetings in private would violate the standards set for transparency, holding meetings exclusively online disregards the need for accessibility for all potential attendees, and closing meetings to certain attendees would undermine the public's right to witness the proceedings. Thus, the correct answer reflects the foundational objective of Open Meeting Requirements.