Open Records Requests Answered, Palin Emails Released
- Category: Brandon Long
- Published on Friday, June 10, 2011 15:12
- Written by Brandon Long
Today, the state of Alaska released thousands of emails sent and received by Sarah Palin when she was governor.
Reporters requested that the state release those records when she was running as a Vice Presidential candidate in 2008.
NBC News is making them available for public review here.
In Georgia, you can also request public records from all local and state agencies (with a few exceptions).
You can make your request in person or in writing. The hardest part a lot of times is finding the appropriate office to make your request, and many offices prefer that you submit your very specific request in writing, just so everyone is clear on what exact documents you want. Sometimes you have to pay for search and retrieval.
Our reporters and producers frequently request documents from various government offices because it gives us a look at the official records. We can use this information to formulate questions, expose fraud, or simply resolve a curiosity.
The bottom-line is requesting government documents isn't an exclusive right of reporters and other journalists.· It's also your right as a citizen to be able to review what our government is doing and has done. You just have to take that initiative.
And if you find something that you think should be part of our broadcast... let 41 NBC know.· Remember the best stories come from you!
Here's some links that can help you with the process:
THE LAW: Inspection of public records
How to make an Open Records Request in Georgia
Georgia Attorney General's Open Government Website
What if no one responds to my request?
