While government agencies may not be happy about it, The First Amendment Coalition, which is dedicated to rights of the press, announced that a Santa Clara County judge ruled that the City of San Jose must provide officials private text messages, e-mails or other electronic communications about city affairs in response to an acitvists request.
This could be far-reaching, as it could settle a growing dispute over what open-government advocates say has become a glaring loophole in the state's public records law everywhere in California.
For example, the Sierra Sentinel was once in the loop of discussions (emails) between city councilpersons and administrators.
When one of them noticed it, they changed everything, to hide from us what they were saying to each other.
Now they must reveal all of their conversations, e-mails, texts, or any other communication if it has something to do with City business.
This goes for the County as well. If a member of the press or public wants copies of communications, the government agency must provide them.
Hooray for 1st Amendment rights!!!
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