A group of North Carolina legislators have introduced bills to amend the state constitution to further protect the public’s access to meetings and records.
The proposal comes after legislators tacked onto last year’s budget bill a provision that gives legislators the right to decide what records they make public and allows them to delete, destroy or withhold information.
Recent attempts to further restrict public access to records include a proposal filed last month by Sen. Danny Britt that would keep autopsy reports in criminal cases confidential from the public until the cases are resolved. Family members would not have been able to see the reports and would have to rely on district attorneys to describe the reports to them. The proposal has since been withdrawn.
Town Council members in Yanceyville unanimously approved in May an amendment that would require individuals to obtain the council’s permission before recording video or audio at meetings.
North Carolina statute 143-318.14 states “Any person may photograph, film, tape record, or otherwise reproduce any part of a meeting required to be open.”
Yanceyville’s attorney recently told Carolina Public Press the amendment was meant to control where individuals are allowed to record and the amendment will be changed.
With the constitutional amendment proposed in House Bill 1075 and Senate Bill 911, authorities would not be able to restrict access to public meetings and records unless they can demonstrate that such limitations protect a compelling public interest.
This legislation will help foster trust in public institutions by ensuring any restriction on access is both justified and necessary.
We stand with the North Carolina Press Association in supporting the bill to amend the North Carolina Constitution and preserve the public’s right to know and ensure transparency and accountability within government. We encourage you to reach out to our local legislators, Sen. Kevin Corbin and Rep. Karl Gillespie and ask them to vote in favor of protecting the public’s access to meetings and records.