UConn Students Get Tough Lesson in State’s FOI Law

Gail Braccidiferro MacDonald, an assistant professor-in-residence at UConn’s journalism school, had her students embark on a lesson this semester that should become standard fare in J-schools: testing how well municipal officials understand — and adhere to — the state’s freedom of information laws.

Connecticut has a strong FOI law. But like all statutes, the law is only as good as those entrusted to enforce it. Spend some time perusing the decisions of the Freedom of Information Commission (they issued rulings in 257 cases last year) and you’ll see there is still plenty of work to be done.

McDonald sent her students to far-flung town halls in search in some simple payroll information. They learned what reporters, gadflies and other requesters have long known: some towns are helpful and efficient; others still haven’t quite accepted that the public’s business is the public’s business. Even with a small sample, students faced misinformation, roadblocks and illegal charges. McDonald recounts the experience in today’s Courant.

If McDonald’s students are planning careers in the news media, they might as well learn now that getting information from their government  often means knowing the law, and knowing not to take “no” for an answer. And if any of my students are reading this: Check the syllabus. You’ve got a similar assignment coming up in a few weeks.