Arkansas Freedom of Information Act almost unrecognizable now
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) generally provides that any person has the right to request access to federal agency records or information except to the extent the records are protected from disclosure by any of nine exemptions contained in the law or by one of three special law enforcement record exclusions.
According to the news article posted on HarrisonDaily.com on Thursday, April 20 2017, it is said that the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act is almost unrecognizable now. The article states many things such as: At last count the esteemed legislators in less than solemn assembly have added at least 10 more exemptions to this state's once model Freedom of session of the Ledge with still more holes in it.
To quote Tom Larimer, a temperate fellow who is executive director of the Arkansas Press Association, some changes in the FOIA "were not bad ideas. Unfortunately, the bills went way to far by closing 'records and other information'. "That phrase, he noted, could cover "just about anything" any agency of the state wanted covered up. "I don't think there is any doubt," he added, "the 'security' bills passed in this session will have the most impact on the FOIA going forward." Impact indeed. Like the impact a freight train might have on a car stranded on its tracks. They may be dubbed "security" bills but they are likely to leave we the people more insecure as ever when it comes to knowing just what our public servants are serving up.
Seven of these misconceived changes have already been signed into law by our governor, The Hon. Asa Hutchinson. Some of the exemptions may be warranted, but in their cumulative effect they are a standing invitation to abuse. For examples, the public will not be allowed to see or hear any recordings of a police officer's death; certain information about community correction centers or about records involving details about the state Capitol's security records and information may not be available to you.
Just about the only thing that kept this session of the Ledge from being a total catastrophe for this state's Freedom of Information Act instead of an unmitigated disaster seems to have been its sponsor's decision not to press ahead with a proposal that would have kept secret any bill that had been considered by any attorney for any governmental agency.
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