For the first time since 2009, public-records lawsuits from non-media plaintiffs outnumber those from news media - Entrepreneur Generations

For the first time since 2009, public-records lawsuits from non-news media clients outnumber those from news media clients, according to the National Freedom of Information Coalition's biennial open government survey.

The news media has been less interested or able to pursue Freedom of Information litigation and legal actions in recent years, mostly because of lack of money and resources and because of a decline in the kind of investigative reporting that requires such legal action to gain access to information, according to the NFOIC.

Many public entities refuse requests for public information, drag their feet, or refuse to answer at all because they know many news media entities can't afford to file suit. Survey respondents consistently said that such stonewalling was the biggest obstacle they faced in acquiring public information, the NFOIC reports. Many were also frustrated because they believed that there were few penalties for public officials who violate open records or open meeting laws.

Daniel Bevarly, NFOIC's executive director, "cited growing efforts to assist local news organizations with financial and in-kind backing to pursue lawsuits is a response to this trend," according to the press release. "The Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press Local Legal Initiative and the Legal Clinic Fund from the Democracy Fund are recent examples."

The news comes, fittingly, on the second day of Sunshine Week, which celebrates government transparency and the role of the free press in ensuring it.

from The Rural Blog https://ift.tt/2Wjh2y4 For the first time since 2009, public-records lawsuits from non-media plaintiffs outnumber those from news media - Entrepreneur Generations

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