Freedom of Information Coalition
Jun 22nd, 2007 by dani_k
The Pennsylvania Freedom of Information Coalition is doing some great things. The group was founded in 2005 by journalists, librarians, attorneys, educators and community group leaders from all parts of Pennsylvania and is dedicated to protecting the right of all citizens to obtain public information from local and state government officials. The Coalition runs an Open Government Forum where you can post questions and get answers to questions about open records and open meetings in Pennsylvania. Topics include access to disaster/emergency plans, legislative bonus information, and public meeting minutes.
In the fall, the Coalition will be sponsoring public forums on open records in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, and State College. These will include legislators, open records advocates, and others. Stay tuned for more information. Membership in the Coalition starts at $25 for individuals and includes a copy of the “Citizens Guide to Access,” a step-by-step guide to getting the public records that you want. Sound intersting? You can join the Coalition here.
A Bethlehem-area middle school principal was recently arrested for allegedly using and selling drugs in his office. The district performed a recent investigation into the situation, checking to ensure that no other employees knew of the situation beforehand.
According to the Easton Express Times and the Associated Press,
“The full report, a 37-page document that cost district taxpayers more than $30,000, is the result of more than 30 interviews with district administrators, faculty and staff, and a review of personnel policies, state school code and personnel documents….About all the public is entitled to is the check the attorneys cash for payment.”
However, there’s no clear PA law that defines what a public record is, explained Teri Henning of the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association. Just because a document was paid for with public money doesn’t mean it qualifies under current PA law.
In other news, on Thursday, The Associated Press reports, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that 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.