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June 2007 - Posts

Thursday, June 28, 2007 11:54 AM

Washington Post Ombudsman: Reform FOIA

Deborah Powell, the Washington Post ombudsman, writes "Without access to records, people cannot hold government accountable. One of the most important avenues for that on the federal level is the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), now in the midst,
posted by JoelCampbell | 0 Comments
Thursday, June 28, 2007 11:50 AM

U. Texas Tyler students survey FOI compliance

Open government training could be a factor in improved compliance rates recorded last year in East Texas, but the educational mandate may not be broad enough to ensure key public employees follow the law, according to a university study.Journalism
posted by JoelCampbell | 0 Comments
Thursday, June 28, 2007 11:39 AM

Korea: Lawmakers pass over FOIA

Freedom of information actNational Assembly should end public sector's undue secrecyPresident Roh's war with the media has shed light on what could pass as a forgotten area _ freedom of information.In late May, the six major political parties vowed
posted by JoelCampbell | 0 Comments
Thursday, June 28, 2007 11:35 AM

S.D. attorney general considers FOI reform

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) Attorney General Larry Long says he might recommend that the Legislature set up a system that lets people request access to public records.He says it would be similar the federal Freedom of Information Act, which sets rules for
posted by JoelCampbell | 0 Comments
Thursday, June 28, 2007 11:29 AM

Judge: Wisconsin lawmakers can keep bill drafts secret

Lawmakers can continue to share bill drafts with lobbyists while withholding them from the public without violating the open records law, a judge ruled Wednesday.Dane County Judge David Flanagan said lawmakers’ practice of seeking advice from experts
posted by JoelCampbell | 0 Comments
Thursday, June 28, 2007 11:25 AM

S.C. Supreme Court reviews access to executive searches

The S.C. Supreme Court is weighing arguments in a case that could determine how much people know about the people selected to lead public agencies in the state. The Herald-Journal of Spartanburg sued School District 7 for information on finalists
posted by JoelCampbell | 0 Comments
Thursday, June 28, 2007 11:14 AM

Audio tapes played in court are public records

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Audiotapes played during preliminary hearings in criminal cases are public records, even if the tapes are not entered as evidence or otherwise filed with the court, the state’s highest court ruled in a decision released yesterday.
posted by JoelCampbell | 0 Comments
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 6:18 PM

Watchdoggin' the government

This article from the Chattanooga Pulse is a great example of how local media organizations can help readers and viewers better understand and use FOI laws.
posted by JoelCampbell | 0 Comments
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 5:51 PM

Utah Supreme Court considers strong shield rule

A Utah Supreme Court advisory committee that several months ago proposed giving so-called "Swiss-cheese protections" to confidential news sources has reworked the rule into what would become one of the strongest reporter privileges in the nation.
posted by JoelCampbell | 0 Comments
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 5:45 PM

Governor signs Oregon FOI law improvements

Gov. Ted Kulongoski has signed two bills to accelerate requests for public records and require the release of some information that would be confidential otherwise under attorney-client privilege. After a June 22 signing ceremony, Kulongoski said
posted by JoelCampbell | 0 Comments
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 5:35 PM

Father of N.J. "Sunshine Law" dies

First elected to the Assembly in 1971, Byron Baer served in the Senate from 1994 until he resigned because of declining health in September 2005. He died Sunday at age 77. He is best known as the father of the "Sunshine Law," which re quires government
posted by JoelCampbell | 0 Comments
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 5:21 PM

Technology and open meetings

While this is an editorial from the Standard-Examiner in Ogden, Utah, it focuses on issues that have global implications for how government functions around the nation. Thanks to Doug Gibson for allowing me to post this.Joel CampbellFOI CommitteeKeeping
posted by JoelCampbell | 0 Comments
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 5:12 PM

FEMA recipient addresses ordered released

The public’s right to know triumphed over government secrecy June 22 when the Federal Emergency Management Agency was ordered to make public the addresses of more than 600,000 households that received $1.2 billion in aid following the 2004 hurricane
posted by JoelCampbell | 0 Comments
Thursday, June 14, 2007 2:42 PM

Victims' addresses will no longer be public in Colorado

Victims’ addresses will be off-limits to their abusers and the general public under a new law that goes into effect in Colorado next month. Gov. Bill Ritter signed legislation May 31 establishing a Victim Address Confidentiality Program. H.B. 1350,
posted by JoelCampbell | 0 Comments
Thursday, June 14, 2007 10:23 AM

Journalists worry about independence of U. of Utah student newspaper

Some student journalists and their instructors at the University of Utah may be overreacting to a task force's report on the future of student media on campus. We hope they are.     The editor of The Daily Utah Chronicle and his faculty
posted by JoelCampbell | 0 Comments
Friday, June 08, 2007 5:35 PM

Utah County sheriff grants public access to online mug shots

As reported in the Daily Herald, the Utah County Sheriff's Office has dropped its requirmeent for a password to view jail mugshots. The decision came after SHeriff Jim Tracy shut down access to the site, previously controlled through a password granted
posted by DonaldMeyers | 0 Comments
Thursday, June 07, 2007 4:55 PM

Illinois Legislature votes to undo Hosty decision

The Student Press Law Center reports that a bill protecting college journalists from censorship has been sent to the governor with a veto-proof majority.The Illinois House voted 112-2 to approve S.B. 729, which will designate all public college and university
posted by DonaldMeyers | 0 Comments
Monday, June 04, 2007 3:00 PM

Kyl's secret hold hits new low in denying public's right to know

By Charles N. DavisCongress, apparently content to explore ever new depths in public disapproval, is on the verge of having a single member derail the most meaningful reform in years of the federal Freedom of Information Act. How, you ask, when overwhelming
posted by DonaldMeyers | 0 Comments