Student journalist Joshua Levin writes that government officials have found a trick to keep the public from seeing what they are up to: They don’t have to always say no. They can simply make getting the records so difficult that nobody wants to try.
Tag: public records
Kansas students win records battle in ongoing AI lawsuit
Current and former students suing the Lawrence, Kansas, school district over its use of AI surveillance tools saw a big victory this summer when a federal judge ordered the district to pay more than $113,000 in the students’ legal fees for violating the Kansas Open Records Act.
Winning a public records lawsuit against our alma mater
For Sunshine Week, Erasmus Baxter, Asia Fields and Julia Furukawa share their story of reporting on university misconduct cases at Western Washington University.
Sunshine Week brings award applications, FOI fun
The Student Press Law Center is here all year long to help students obtain needed records, but in honor of Sunshine Week, we are excited to announce the nominations for the Student Freedom of Information Award, as well as several terrific (and fun) resources.
Records show opposition to Lyman yearbook overblown
A tense public battle over content in a Florida high school yearbook was overblown, according to public records obtained by SPLC.
25 public records sports reporters can and should request
Here’s are some documents and public information sports reporters may want to submit a public records request for.
Lawsuit against UNC for the release of campus sexual assault records officially ends in favor of student journalists
The North Carolina Court of Appeals has ruled University of North Carolina must hand over student, faculty, and staff rape, sexual assault, and sexual misconduct records requested by the university's student newspaper, The Daily Tar Heel.
Students face restricted access to open records and meetings due to COVID-19
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, student journalists are facing issues obtaining public records and accessing what should be open meetings. SPLC staff attorney Sommer Ingram Dean said a majority of the calls to SPLC's legal hotline in March and April have been about COVID-19 related access issues. She said student journalists have called about: Experiencing… Continue reading Students face restricted access to open records and meetings due to COVID-19
Access to public information restricted as schools move online
Many schools across the country are failing to comply with Sunshine Laws during the coronavirus pandemic, which is making it even more difficult for student journalists to cover the news. Daniel Bevarly, executive director of the National Freedom of Information Coalition, said the coronavirus isn’t a legally acceptable reason for universities to withhold public information… Continue reading Access to public information restricted as schools move online
How to access the information you need to cover mental illness at your school
Editor's note: This story provides tips for finding information about mental health in schools. For guidance on ethical considerations while covering these stories, please consult National Alliance on Mental Illness or Active Minds. For legal considerations, contact SPLC's legal hotline. Mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression are rising among teenagers. According to Active Minds,… Continue reading How to access the information you need to cover mental illness at your school