Thursday, November 24, 2005

Reporters Committee urges Third Circuit to recognize all citizens' rights to public records

From the Reporters' Committee for Freedom of the Press:


Delaware's Freedom of Information Act currently contains a "citizens only" provision that prevents people living outside the state from accessing its records. The case, Lee v. Governor of the State of Delaware, involves New York resident Matthew Lee, a freelance writer who also operates a nonprofit organization that publishes reports on business and financial matters and regulatory proceedings in Delaware. Lee successfully sued the Delaware attorney general in the U.S. District Court for Delaware, arguing that the provision is a violation of the Privileges and Immunities Clause of the U.S. Constitution, because it prevents him from pursuing the common calling of journalism within the state.

In my own home state, no less. I need to follow up on this.