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
160 Mourning a newspaper's death through the words of the residents impacted
159 One man’s fight to return public notices to his Kansas publication.
158 A Texas newspaper acquired by local public broadcasting. A new trend?
157 Celebrating forty years! USA TODAY’s Nicole Carroll talks about four decades of reporting the news in accessible but innovative ways
156 “He runs one of the largest media operations you’ve never heard about.” Meet Kevin Dilley
155 One-on-one with Chris Stirewalt
154 1-on-1 with I Messenger Media's Cheryl Smith, 2022 NABJ Hall of Fame inductee
153 1-on-1 with Mike Barnicle, a frank discussion on covering a democracy in crisis
152 As Trust in T.V. news & newspapers continue to decline, NewsGuard offers “trust ratings” for over 7,500 websites.
151 LBGTQ+ media exec DJ Doran talks niche publishing & his run for mayor of Chicago
150 A one-on-one with Rick Rogers, now six months in as the Owner/ Publisher of Star Local Media
149 Data is fundamental to The Washington Post's “Unaccountable” series
148 Chicago Sun-Times' new executive editor covers a mass shooting in 1st few weeks
147 Meet the new managing editor of Axios Local, Delano Massey
146 Exploring The Tributary, Jacksonville's new nonprofit news outlet
145 “Abernathy Report" confirms the expansion of "news deserts" & misinformation.
144 Meet Juana Summers, NPR’s new cohost of 'All Things Considered'
143 Hearst Connecticut Media is on track to hit 100k paid subscribers
142 Checking in on The Boston Globe’s move into Rhode Island
141 Meet TV star & columnist: Peter Funt. A “Candid” interview.
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