| Show FREEDOM OF INFORMATION One Oue of the most mot important committees in the National Editorial Association is the FOI POI Freedom Freedom of Information The publisher of this newspaper is flattered to be n a member of this national committee Its work is to try to break brak breakdown breakdown down barriers erected in some states against publication of matters which the public is entitled entitle to know about In many man communities this freedom of information is is vitally important If there is any graft in public office the officials will do o everything in their power to keep their activities out of public print The taxpayers are entitled to know know and and if they arent aren't told in the new newspapers their is their to is opportunity to learn what happening to money slight We dont don't have that worry here Our officials are honest or they wouldn't be in office We all know each aeh other in communities this small almost too w well ll BUT BUT BUT- things do go on which county city and school officials dont don't want the public to know about Not Sot yet et usually So they ther dont don't make their records fully available to re re- porters This is il a n mistake It can lead to minor dictatorships and to coverage of innocent but expensive boneheads and to but unfair favoritism Never Newer forget this fact Not only the newspaper reporter but YOU anybody body are arc entitled to see Iee the public records And any action which is taken without becoming a n matter of public record is illegal Now Xo we wo will will willbe be the fast first to admit that occasionally thing things happen in committee meeting which arc are not ready for publication ion In this case the tiling thing to do is to explain to the newspaperman why it must wait lie He will wiIl go along alone with you It happens all the time an and it prevents a great grat deal lal of trouble You Youcan can count upon the cooperation of your newspaper But when you 1 0 refuse to tell anybody j when wIlen you on try to hide l de sonic some particular deal j when wIlen you yon figure the reporter isn't going to hear hrar about it then youre you're making a mistake The reporter isn't as dumb as you give him credit for being because bring because people are arc always s w whispering little things in his ear He lie is usually the FIRST to hear your secrets The head of public relations of the Utah County Officials Association advises all her workers co-workers Give the reporter ALL the facts and ask his cooperation on stuff I I that's off the r record cord Her Iier ahi advice e could be he well taken in ill I I several communities served L by this tIlls newspaper I II I |
