For decades many federal agencies have been prohibiting reporters from talking to anyone without first requesting access through a public information officer (PIO). And over those years, these “PIO chokepoints” have gotten tighter and tighter, including oversight on conversations and demands for questions ahead of any interview. Reporters today are often not allowed to speak to anyone, even after acquiescing to censorship and controls.
First Amendment attorney and head of the Brechner Center, Frank LoMonte, wrote in a 2019 article: “Although the practice of gagging public employees from giving unapproved interviews is pervasive across all levels of government, decades’ worth of First Amendment caselaw demonstrates that blanket restrictions on speaking to the media are legally unenforceable.”
In July, twenty-five journalism organizations, including the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) and the Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ) , called on the Biden administration to end these prohibitions and allow reporters to interview government sources without oversight.
In this 104th episode of “E&P Reports,” publisher Mike Blinder speaks with SPJ immediate past president and opinion editor at the San Diego News and Tribune, Matt Hall along with Chair of the SEJ and an editor at the Chesapeake Bay Journal, Tim Wheeler about how their two organizations (along with others) are working towards helping the industry
236 Detroit PBS CEO Rich Homberg's mission to redefine public media
235 Turning the Page: Daniel Richardson's journey to restore local news to Tennessee towns.
234 Local Media Association and Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association partner to create fundraising lab
233 New York State implements historic tax credits to support local journalism.
232 Facebook blocks State’s Newsroom’s Kansas Reflector: A threat to free press and first Amendment?
231 Addressing America's Divides: The Chronicle of Philanthropy’s newest chapter1
230 Understanding the skills necessary to lead the newsroom of tomorrow
229 The “whats, whys and hows” of The Association of Community Publishers (ACP)
228 Exploring their new book: “What Works in Community News,” from authors Ellen Clegg & Dan Kennedy
227 A look at the broadcast news industry from RTDNA CEO Dan Shelley
226 A frank discussion about public media with industry expert Tom Davidson
225 Jeff Jarvis and Steven Waldman debate the hard questions facing the news media industry.
224 No more downsizing, as Gannett is hiring locally at all levels.
223 An inside look at The Messenger — from startup to shut down — 10 months and 50 million dollars later
222 An inside look at the LA Times with Guild President, Matt Pearce
221 Hussman announces four $25k prizes for best in fair and impartial reporting.
220 Word in Black's journey from a pilot project to a public benefit corporation
219 Media sales icon Chris Lytle shares tried and true insights that still apply today.
218 A new film tells a story of how hedge funds are destroying local journalism.
217 The future of “big tech” compensation, now that Google's $100 million deal with Canada is law
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