Skip to Content
/ Articles / Government /

Spotlight PA: Free Q&A on Fighting for Public Records in PA

by Spotlight PA

Mar 14, 2022

Spotlight PA fights hard to keep Pennsylvania’s local and state governments accountable. Often, this fight includes wrestling with the limits of the open records law and endlessly filing Right-to-Know requests to get documents and information from elected officials.

The Right-to-Know Law, established in 2008, allows requesters to obtain public records from local and state government agencies such as police and health departments, city councils, and courts. It’s a valuable reporting tool, and in theory, offers all residents the chance to see how the government works (or doesn’t). But it’s far from perfect, and loopholes and exceptions can turn otherwise straightforward requests into drawn-out lawsuits.

Join us for a free Q&A on government transparency in Pennsylvania. Our reporters and other experts will break down their coverage, explain the limits of the records law, and inform you how you can file open records requests.

This event is part of Sunshine Week, a national initiative spearheaded by the News Leaders Association to educate the public about the importance of open government and the dangers of excessive and unnecessary secrecy.

Submit your questions in advance to [email protected].

When: Wednesday, March 16 at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Where: Zoom. RSVP for free here.
Who:

  • Danielle Ohl, investigative reporter for Spotlight PA
  • Angela Couloumbis, capitol reporter for Spotlight PA
  • Jamie Martines, health reporter for Spotlight PA
  • Paula Knudsen Burke, attorney for Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press

Other panelists to be announced

We need your support!

Your contribution makes community media possible.

A donation of any size to your nonprofit media organization supports the future of media access in our community - the things you love, and the places you care about, by the people you know.

Live Streaming