If it were not for the First Amendment,
comprehensive reporting, hardworking reporters, and the Freedom of
Information Act, the public would be left to only what their leaders
want them to believe.
It is not uncommon to be denied information and accordingly have to resort to the Freedom of Information Act to get it, which is a time consuming pain in the ass. This happens most often
when information would make an official look stupid, hinder their reelection, or reveal they are dishonest.
The biggest pain in the butt is the time it takes to file and wait, and
officials hope it is that which will make the reporter skip the details in
order to meet deadline. However, some newspapers of smaller markets who are
relentless in seeking public information are being told to back down or get sued –
and sadly it is working.
Odds are in the large newspaper’s favor because the U.S. Constitution is on their side, but a small and medium newspapers do not
have the money or staff to endure a yearlong court battle.
As Danny Westneat of the Seattle Times points out in
his article, “The government wants to do its business in secret, and
increasingly there’s no press left to stop them.” Read by clicking > here <
http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/free-press-state-hits-tiny-paper-with-lawsuit-after-it-seeks-public-records/
Comment or share an experience with others by sending me a message amosnews@yahoo.com
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