After all, why else would they want to require a reporter to disclose the identity of confidential sources before releasing what is, by law, public information available to any citizen?

A South Texas public television station has refused to turn over financial documents to the Valley Morning Star unless a reporter reveals confidential sources, the newspaper reported Nov. 3.
Reporter Bruce Lee Smith on Nov. 2 tried to pick up financial documents he had requested from KMBH television and radio, run by RGV Educational Broadcasting Inc. as the local Public Broadcasting System affiliate.
When Smith arrived at the television studio, he was told KMBH officials would release the documents only if the reporter signed a letter in which he agreed to disclose confidential sources who provided background information to him about the stationÂ’s finances and operations.

This was not even a Freedom Of Information Act request – these are records that are required to be available for public inspection as a condition of receiving federal grant money to operate as a PBS station.

Now I donÂ’t know whether there is actually any wrong-doing in the use of the grant money. What I do know is that there seems to be some problem with their willingness to follow the laws under which they receive tax money to operate.

Posted by: Greg at 01:17 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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