Freedom of Information Worskhop, Sept. 15
The Southwest Missouri Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists is offering a workshop on how to file Freedom of Information requests Friday, Sept. 15 at Mille's Turn of the Century Café, 313 S. Jefferson Ave., in Springfield, Mo. Jonathan Groves, former News-Leader assistant managing editor and a journalism instructor at Drury University, will provide a step-by-step guide on how to file Freedom of Information requests to ensure reporters and news organizations obtain the specific details they need for stories. The program starts at noon. Lunch is order off the menu and prices range from $5 to $10. Questions? Call Michelle Rose at 837-1371 or e-mail mrose@news-leader.com.
posted by David L. Burton at 9/07/2006 12:16:00 PM
2 Comments:
Why is a program like this needed? No journalist in the Springfield media market is doing this type of reporting because no one has the time (short-handed news rooms).
I won't argue the fact that newsrooms in the Ozarks (as everywhere) are understaffed, but a little Sunshine Law know-how is a near-daily prerequisite for reporting.
Out in the hinterlands (ie, more than a mile from the intersection of Chestnut and Boonville) a journalist has to be an expert, because in most jurisdictions he or she will be tutoring local officials in the law in the course of writing a story.
Things get even more interesting in Springfield, where city and county officials allegedly have some clue about the Sunshine Law. Want that police report the PD doesn't feel like turning over, or the building permit Nick Heatherly doesn't think you deserve? Better fill out that Sunshine request.
More importantly, having a solid grasp of what is and is not a public record goes a long way when negotiating for documents BEFORE filing a formal request (which often saves all-important hours and days).
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