© 2024 Connecticut Public

FCC Public Inspection Files:
WEDH · WEDN · WEDW · WEDY · WNPR
WPKT · WRLI-FM · WEDW-FM · Public Files Contact
ATSC 3.0 FAQ
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Freedom of Information and Our Eroding Open Government

This election cycle, the Connecticut Council on Freedom of Information asked candidatesto sign a pledge- to oppose weakening the state’s public document disclosure law, and to require that any attempts to weaken the law be subjected to public hearings and debate.  Only 10% of those to whom this pledge was sent have actually signed it, though. 

It’s a problem that FOI advocates have been battling against in Connecticut - a state with a tradition of strong support for open government - eroding year after year. This hour, we’ll listen to a panel discussion taped last week at Quinnipiac University, about the history of Freedom of Information Acts in America and what you have the right to know.

GUESTS: 

  • Daniel Klau, Attorney with McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney and Carpenter in Hartford. He specializes in First Amendment and Media Law
  • James Smith, retired newspaper editor, and president of the nonprofit Connecticut Council on Freedom of Information. He wrote a letter to Gov. Dannel Malloy calling for the release of state police information regarding the Sandy Hook investigation
  • Khalilah Brown Dean, political science professor at Quinnipiac University 
  • Edward Alwood, professor of journalism at Quinnipiac University

Tags
Tucker Ives is WNPR's morning news producer.
Catie Talarski is Senior Director of Storytelling and Radio Programming at Connecticut Public.

Stand up for civility

This news story is funded in large part by Connecticut Public’s Members — listeners, viewers, and readers like you who value fact-based journalism and trustworthy information.

We hope their support inspires you to donate so that we can continue telling stories that inform, educate, and inspire you and your neighbors. As a community-supported public media service, Connecticut Public has relied on donor support for more than 50 years.

Your donation today will allow us to continue this work on your behalf. Give today at any amount and join the 50,000 members who are building a better—and more civil—Connecticut to live, work, and play.

Related Content