Public information - but not too public

Article Abstract:

Decisions made by the chief judge in Maryland state district courts in December 1998 and soon after by New Jersey's Attorney General Peter Verniero challenged the press's right to print public information and commercial access to such information. The Maryland episode involved disseminating lists of filed arrest warrants that were available through computer networks. The Maryland judge blocked computerized access. Verniero ordered an investigation to probe how a newspaper discovered that a sex offender was moving into an identified neighborhood. Such information is public, although statutes exist to protect the offender's privacy.

United States, Editorial, Freedom of the press

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Most federal agencies behind schedule on EFOIA

Article Abstract:

June 1998 congressional hearings evaluating the effects of the Electronic Freedom of Information Act of 1996 reveal that administrative agencies are behind schedule in making information available under the act. Public interest groups and agency officials agreed the act potentially can cut delays and increase the amount of information available online. Frustration with both agencies and courts refusing to uphold the act's 'any purpose' release requirement was expressed.

Electronic records, Records and correspondence, Administrative agencies, Government agencies

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