Bodies must keep 'full and accurate' minutes of meetings: court faults city council for circumventing Sunshine Act through smaller briefings

Article Abstract:

The Ohio Supreme Court decided two cases in 1996 that delineated the requirements of the state's open meetings and public records acts as they applied to local government. In White v. Clinton County Board of Commissioners, the Court ruled that the commissioners were obligated to keep full and complete records of all of their meetings. In Ohio ex rel. Cincinnati Post v. City of Cincinnati, the Court found that the Cincinnati City Council could not circumvent public meeting laws by holding a series of small meetings, none of which were attended by a majority of the Council.

Interpretation and construction, Ohio, Sunshine laws

---

Board of law examiners must open meetings, release minutes

Article Abstract:

The Minnesota Supreme Court reorganized rules concerning public access to meetings of the state Board of Law Examiners after a law student petitioned for access to minutes of meetings. William Mitchell School of Law student Michael Ravnitzky in 1997 was researching an article about changes to the state bar exam. His request for access to nonprivate and nonconfidential meeting minutes was denied. The Board of Law Examiners subsequently requested the state Supreme Court to amend rules and Ravitnitzky also filed a petition with the Court.

Minnesota, Admission to the bar

---

Reporter loses fight for equal access to briefings, materials

Article Abstract:

The United States Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit ruled in Snyder v. Ringgold that journalists' First Amendment right to equal access to government information was not firmly established. The Baltimore City Police Department's denying one journalist access to government information provided other members of the media was thus not a First Amendment violation.

United States, Cases, Freedom of speech, Journalists, Government information

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Courts reexamine access to jury information: Missouri, Ohio high courts affirm presumptive right of access. District attorney petitions appeals court to vacate judge's order permitting 'Frontline' to tape jury
• Abstracts: Death records in boy's murder must be released: public interest outweighs interests in confidentiality under common law test
• Abstracts: Court limits access to tapes used in trial. Arkansas court allows access to juveniles' names. Appeals panel opens memos read in court
• Abstracts: Ban on anonymous leafletting violates First Amendment; court sees 'important role' for secrecy. Ban on anonymous speech, use of trade names ruled unconstitutional
• Abstracts: ABC complies with order to turn over videotape of Susan McDougal interview. Contempt citation against book author overturned after second appeal: plaintiffs in suit failed to overcome journalist's privilege

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.