passopenrecords.org

This page is your one-stop resource for the first-ever Pennsylvania Open Records Challenge.

Click here for your Worksheet

Click here to download the Rules.

To illustrate the problems Pennsylvania’s journalists and citizens face in obtaining public records, the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association, together with this blog, is holding the first-ever PA Open Records Challenge.

The competition that began in mid-August. Participants are asked to attempt to obtain a document, such as a school superintendent’s contract or the amount of legal fees spent by their town in 2006, using an open records request.

“Many Pennsylvanians aren’t sure how to file an open records request with their local or state government. Too often, they only find out how difficult the process is when they badly need information, and unfortunately, there’s a steep learning curve,” said Tim Williams, president of the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association. “We hope that the PA Open Records Challenge will draw attention to the process while making citizens aware of just how critically our state needs to reform its open records law.”

Winners will be selected from the completed, correct entries submitted to the challenge, which ends October 5. Grand Prize Winners (2) will receive a one-year subscription to their local newspaper. Ten (10) additional winners will receive Pennsylvania Newspaper Association First Amendment boxes.

Participants are asked to share their stories about their requests for information on the blog. You can obtain a contest Worksheet and read the Rules.

“Reforming Pennsylvania’s antiquated open records law has been in the works for years but historically many public officials resisted meaningful change,” said Jamie Blaine, editor of passopenrecords.org. “But voters have put lawmakers on notice that they want a more transparent and accountable government.”

The PNA, founded in 1925, is a nonprofit, trade association. Its mission is to advance for the interests of Pennsylvania newspapers, to promote the importance of a free and independent press and provide a forum for critical and innovative thinking about the future of journalism and the newspaper industry.

The blog, an initiative of the PNA, shares the latest news, views and information as Pennsylvania moves closer to enacting a modern open records law. Blog visitors are urged to comment on posts and add to the debate.