Sunday, October 21, 2001 10:47 PM
by: Ana Garcia
Ask and yee shall receive. If only it were that simple for reporters.
All too often when journalists make requests for information which is legally available to the public through the Brown Act or the California Public Records Act, it is difficult and sometimes impossible to actually get it.
That is why the LA Press Club has joined with others to seek greater enforcement of existing laws and the passage of additional legislation to close loopholes in the laws.
At the August 27 meeting, the LAPC Board of Directors passed by a vote of eight to one a proposal to endorse the latest draft of what is called the Sunshine Act, with the authority and flexibility to make additional modifications as needed. The nine page draft is designed to be a model ordinance which can be introduced on the local level. The committee was also authorized to withdraw the ordinance if it appears a legislative body wants to water it down to the point it no longer merits support.
The ultimate goal is the successful enactment of a Sunshine Law. There are already discussions about possibility introducing it in West Hollywood, the Country of L.A. and the City of L.A.
The Sunshine Act approved by the board closes twelve loopholes, creates better access, mandates faster response time and makes a violation of the ordinance a misdemeanor. “We hope to get grass roots support for the measure so we can ultimately get a state version passed,” said LAPC board member Karen Ocamb.
The Sunshine Committee will make a presentation to all press club members at the general membership meeting on September 20, which will include an update of all activities and developments.
The board had praise for the hard working group who have put countless hours into doing draft after draft on this proposed legislation. Among those singled out for their efforts were attorneys Roy Ulrich and Barbara Blinderman of the California First Amendment Coalition; President Mary Moore; board members Ocamb, Jill Stewart and Ana Garcia; members Ralph Frammilino and Charlie Rappleye; and Joel Bellman, who is a member of the board of the Society of Professional Journalists. Bellman said he was keeping the SPJ board up to date on all developments.
Separately, the LAPC is continuing to seek additional comments about uses faced by reporters seeking public documents and information. A Sunshine Survey was included in the August 8 Ball, and additional copies are available. This information will be used to do additional studies, and seek grants to help keep the process moving forward.
