By Sarah Gustavus Earlier this year, the president of the United States referred to journalists from news organizations such as the New York Times, CNN and NBC News as the “enemy of the American people.” Shortly after that, reporters from those outlets and others were barred from the White House Read more…
Gov. Susana Martinez has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars during the past few years on a well-connected lawyer she once appointed to the state Supreme Court to help her fight public records lawsuits filed by journalists and citizens. But exactly how much has Paul Kennedy been paid for this Read more…
City on the Edge and SPJ Rio Grande are teaming up for a live podcast about open government, public records, access and journalism. Come hang out with reporters and editors as we talk about our commitment to getting good stories—no matter what. #OutsideThePressConference. Sunday, March 12, at Duel Brewing in Read more…
SB 149: Score=3 Sponsor: Sen. Jacob Candelaria (D-Bernalillo) Problems: This bill would expand what the government can withhold from the public under the law enforcement exception to the Inspection of Public Records Act — perhaps the most broadly abused, most frequently misinterpreted exception in the state sunshine law. Its well-meaning intent Read more…
A New Mexico Supreme Court ruling opens access to some members of the public, including the press, to digitized court cases in the Odyssey Case Management System “Secured Odyssey Public Access” (SOPA). Journalists must apply online for credentials to access the system: Application for Online Access to New Mexico Judiciary Secure Court Cases Read more…
SB 299: Score=6 Sponsor: Sen. Jacob Candelaria (D-Bernalillo) Problems: The bill would cut contractors from protections under the state’s Whistleblower Protection Act. It also makes vague references to “exhausting all administrative remedies” before someone can blow the whistle and makes it so there have to be “tangible changes” to someone’s employment Read more…