SPJ Oregon comment to Public Records Advisory Council, Jan. 22, 2020

We submitted these comments to Oregon’s Public Records Advisory Council for the Jan. 22, 2020 meeting in response to discussions about changing the role of the Advocate. See the meeting materials here.

Dear members of the Oregon Public Records Advisory Council:

Oregon’s records law represents Oregonians’ best and often only way to learn of crucial developments that affect them. The law has led to the conviction of corrupt public officials, needed reforms, and saved the public untold millions.

Improper denials, prohibitive cost estimates and undue delays nevertheless remain common across Oregon. Our members have seen repeatedly that such behavior can reflect an effort to conceal something from the public. Polls show Oregonians know transparency is the best antidote.

For these reasons, our members believe Oregon needs a robust Records Advocate’s office, one that is independent and has the ability to propose reforms. To fulfill that mission, the Advocate’s office should be fully staffed with dedicated funding, similar to the Oregon Government Ethics Commission.

The Oregon Territory Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists was part of the work group that provided input to Gov. Kate Brown regarding SB 106 during the 2017 legislative session. We sought a more independent office with clear authority, and a more diverse PRAC. That remains our recommendation today.

SPJ thanks the members of the PRAC for their hard work, and we applaud the council’s efforts to bolster the Advocate to better serve Oregonians.

Rachel Alexander, President

Nick Budnick, Co-chair SPJ FOI Committee

Society of Professional Journalists, Oregon Territory Chapter