The New England First Amendment Coalition testified today in support of much-needed reform to Rhode Island’s Access to Public Records Act.
Significant changes to APRA have not been made in more than a decade. Senate Bill 909 would update and strengthen this critical statute. Proposed changes include tightening up the exemptions for so-called “investigatory” records and police incident reports; calling for greater explanation when records are withheld; and reducing the costs that public bodies can charge requesters.
NEFAC’s Mike Stanton, a former Rhode Island investigative journalist and current University of Connecticut professor, addressed the Senate Committee on the Judiciary during its May 22 hearing on the bill. (Read full remarks here.)
“We’ve been told by legislative leaders that this isn’t really something of interest to other than you reporters. They don’t hear it from your constituents,” Stanton said. “But of course your constituents are concerned about housing and health care and education. They also care about honest, effective and open government.”
Citing recent incidents of when transparency is critical to the public’s understanding of government, Stanton explained that:
“They want to know what’s happening with the Washington Bridge. They care when their personal information is hacked in a cyber attack on the state’s public benefit system. They want to know if the governor’s office received a subpoena regarding a contract that flouted procurement laws.”
NEFAC is the region’s leading defender of First Amendment freedoms and the public’s right to know about government. Learn more about the coalition’s advocacy here.
NEFAC was formed in 2006 to advance and protect the Five Freedoms of the First Amendment, including the principle of the public’s right to know. We’re a broad-based organization of people who believe in the power of an informed democratic society. Our members include lawyers, journalists, historians, academics and private citizens.
Our coalition is funded through contributions made by those who value the First Amendment and who strive to keep government accountable. Please make a donation here.
NEFAC is supported by the Estate of Gloria L. Negri. Additional funding is provided by Leadership Circle donors including the Rhode Island Foundation, The Boston Globe, Paul and Ann Sagan, and the Robertson Foundation. Major Supporters of NEFAC’s work are Hearst Connecticut Media Group, Boston University, the Academy of New England Journalists, Northeastern University and WCVB-Boston.