It is common for reporters to use a Freedom of Information Act request to obtain documents as they research stories. But now a group in Birmingham (Citizens for Equality and Justice) is using the same laws to obtain information it believes will prove what the group calls:
"the highly conspicuous relationship between the US Attorneys office in Birmingham and various media outlets."
Specifically, the group wants copies of any written communications between the Feds and The Birmingham News regarding the prosecution of three Democrats: Al LaPierre, Larry Langford, and Bill Blount.
A couple of issues here: I've never heard of the group filing the request, and a Google search turns up nada. But that certainly doesn't mean they can't use the FOIA. Any individual can use the law. The request is signed by Tracie M. Allen using a Birmingham P.O. Box. I've left a message on the phone listed on the news release.
Second, all three of the men in question are being prosecuted or investigated by the Federal Government, and that may hamper the release of information (though if the information was provided to the News, it might be hard to argue releasing it would hurt an investigation.)
And number three: though the cover letter refers to "various media outlets", only The News is named in the request.
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Jul 8, 2009
FOI against the Media
It is common for reporters to use a Freedom of Information Act request to obtain documents as they research stories. But now a group in Birmingham (Citizens for Equality and Justice) is using the same laws to obtain information it believes will prove what the group calls:
"the highly conspicuous relationship between the US Attorneys office in Birmingham and various media outlets."
Specifically, the group wants copies of any written communications between the Feds and The Birmingham News regarding the prosecution of three Democrats: Al LaPierre, Larry Langford, and Bill Blount.
A couple of issues here: I've never heard of the group filing the request, and a Google search turns up nada. But that certainly doesn't mean they can't use the FOIA. Any individual can use the law. The request is signed by Tracie M. Allen using a Birmingham P.O. Box. I've left a message on the phone listed on the news release.
Second, all three of the men in question are being prosecuted or investigated by the Federal Government, and that may hamper the release of information (though if the information was provided to the News, it might be hard to argue releasing it would hurt an investigation.)
And number three: though the cover letter refers to "various media outlets", only The News is named in the request.
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