SPJ statement on records fees

Jan. 28, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Mark Pitsch, president, Madison pro chapter, Society of Professional Journalists; 608-252-6145

In response to news reports that Rep. Garey Bies is introducing a bill that would require requestors to pay fees for blacking out information in public records, the Madison pro chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists issued the following statement:

“Amending the state’s records law to let public agencies charge fees to black out certain information amounts to a tax on public information. Maintaining, reviewing and redacting records is a government function for which tax dollars are already allocated. Passage of Rep. Bies’ proposal will discourage the public from seeking records and limit government transparency.”

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