That's part of the headline of today's Tribune's editorial concerning the recent ruling against the City.
If I recall correctly, the Tribune has never reported on the City making a habit of not honoring certain FOIA requests. Gregg has been requesting documents since before this suit was filed as well as afterward. Citizens have complained at City Commission meetings about the problem, to no avail.
But now the Editorial Board "applaud his [the judge's] decision".
In the interest of full disclosure, we learn that Jim Strauss, the publisher of the Tribune, sits on the Montana Newspaper Association's board, which joined the lawsuit in November. Mr. Strauss supported joining the suit.
If I recall correctly, the Tribune has never reported on the City making a habit of not honoring certain FOIA requests. Gregg has been requesting documents since before this suit was filed as well as afterward. Citizens have complained at City Commission meetings about the problem, to no avail.
But now the Editorial Board "applaud his [the judge's] decision".
In the interest of full disclosure, we learn that Jim Strauss, the publisher of the Tribune, sits on the Montana Newspaper Association's board, which joined the lawsuit in November. Mr. Strauss supported joining the suit.
Would the Tribune have supported this decision or even reported on it if the publisher hadn't been a board member of MNA? Given their past reporting history on the matter, I think it's questionable.
If the City decides to stonewall again, will the Tribune be ready to defend? They better, after making this statement:
If the City decides to stonewall again, will the Tribune be ready to defend? They better, after making this statement:
"The city of Great Falls regularly accommodates requests from Tribune staff members for everything from police records to contract documents.
However, Montana's open-records laws don't — and shouldn't — apply exclusively to media requests. It gives anyone the right to ask for any public document for any reason.
Throwing up obstacles when those requests are made does nothing more than create suspicion about government dealings, founded or not". No kidding.
3 comments:
FINALLY, the Tribune has stood for something and the First Amendment and our open government laws deserve respect from the leaders and the led.
The Trib's comment is a case of covering their ____ before ____ hits the fan.
Considering the fact that the Trib is in bed with the City, and others, who believe they are anointed by God, that the paper reports what it want, when it wants, the way it wants, I find Strauss's comment a clear case of a paper that has been gleefully in bed with bad guys, suddenly attempting to publicly distance and whitewash itself before it all comes down. I hope people are not so gullible as to believe him.
It is time for the Tribune "to walk the talk". Sure they can request documents on the arrest records and get em.
Now, Tribune, try the hard ball questions on this HGS boondoggle and lets see how far you get?
The questions are posted on the "Electric City Blog Site" for openers.........I dare ya to ask and then report the stonewalling from GF and SME!
Post a Comment