|
Tom Curley Q&A Highlights
AP CEO Tom Curley discusses open government efforts
Tom Curley, president and CEO of The Associated Press, is one of the news media's foremost advocates for open government and freedom of information. In 2007 and 2008 he earned national awards for his work on First Amendment and open records issues, and in 2009 he received a national citation for journalistic excellence from the William Allen White Foundation. From 2005 to 2009, in question-and-answer form, he discussed the Sunshine Week initiative spearheaded by media organizations. Some highlights below.
"A united front is the only way we hold down our end of the checks and balances that make the system work." _2009
___
Q. Sunshine Week 2009 marks the fifth year of the national effort to initiate a public dialogue in the United States about the people's right to know. What's different, compared to previous years?
A. I'm sure the Sunshine Week brand and the goals and values behind it are becoming familiar to more people than ever. But for me the biggest payback for five years of intense annual open government teamwork is to get us used to working together on these issues. A united front is the only way we hold down our end of the checks and balances that make the system work. Our progress has been significant because so many grasped the threat to democratic processes.
---
Q. Does a weak economy hinder or help open government initiatives?
A. It certainly adds to the overall angst, but it doesn't have to hinder. The laws already on the books are powerful levers, and together we advocates of open government can speak loudly in persuading governments to abide by those laws. That costs will and energy, but it doesn't have to cost a lot of money.
---
Q. Any change expected in the media's traditional role as a watchdog of government activity on behalf of the public?
A. None whatsoever. Media businesses may be changing, but their role stays the same.
"Any strengthening of the Freedom of Information Act benefits the public directly."_2008
Q. Does the public have better tools now to know what the government is doing?
A. Any strengthening of the Freedom of Information Act benefits the public directly. Most FOIA requests are filed by the public about their own records (Social Security or veterans' benefits). We think these amendments will help everyone, not just the news media.
"As Sunshine Week has demonstrated, we will succeed if we, too, serve the people."_2007
Q. No other news organization has defended reporting in more states and federal courtrooms across a broader range of issues than AP in its 161-year history. Do you see that changing?
A. We must intensify our vigilance. We added one more lawyer to the payroll for 2007. While we try to pick our fights carefully, the sad reality is that more in government are presuming confidentiality rather than openness. We are intensifying our training of reporters and editors and working with journalists at other organizations and citizen groups where appropriate. As Sunshine Week has demonstrated, we will succeed if we, too, serve the people.
"The guidelines on when to publish or when to wait should be clear within each organization and communicated when appropriate to the public."_2006
Q: Do the media have clear guidelines, that the public should be aware of, for when it should bring to light a government access problem or when to work behind the scenes with federal, state or local authorities to resolve a complex issue?
A: We routinely hold information until we can be sure of its accuracy, value or context. I don't think we've explained to the public how hard we work to be sure. Of course, each mistake undermines our credibility. The guidelines on when to publish or when to wait should be clear within each organization and communicated when appropriate to the public. We must fight the accuracy battle each day with every word we write.
"We sleep at our peril. We must reach out and work with officials from all branches of government on an ongoing basis."_2005
Q: What are the biggest obstacles to the public's right to access government meetings and records?
A: As we have reported, government at all levels is restricting access to information. We in the media, of course, have a stake in what's happening. We also have a duty to spotlight why this is a dangerous trend, especially when court or constitutional issues are at stake. The ongoing battle against terrorism has followed the pattern of all eras when concern for security has moved to the forefront. There are real issues of public safety, which we all expect government to address. But historically government goes too far. As we can see in recent court rulings, the pattern has played out again in the aftermath of 9/11.
---
Q: Do media have any special obligation to fight to preserve the public's First Amendment rights if it appears the public supports government efforts toward less openness?
A: We sleep at our peril. We must reach out and work with officials from all branches of government on an ongoing basis. We must question candidates about their attitudes toward open government in editorial boards and public forums. We must report the efforts of those who want to hide information and their motives, and we should celebrate the champions of openness.
AP CEO Tom Curley's Feb. 6, 2009 William Allen White Lecture
AP CEO Tom
Curley's May 7, 2004 Hays Press-Enterprise Lecture
2009 CEO Q&A 2008 CEO Q&A 2007 CEO Q&A
|
