Hoosier State Press Association - The Indiana Publisher
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/600222
Publisher The Indiana Volume 80, Issue 11 • November 12, 2015 Published on second Thursday monthly Lawmakers weigh in on body cam access HSPA boards to change bylaws It's easy! Public might have to sue to see videos Meetings will allow more idea-sharing U nder a draft approved by an interim Indiana General Assembly com- mittee, the public and the press would be required to file a lawsuit to view police body camera footage that a law enforcement agency doesn't want them to see. The only saving grace of the unanimous vote of the Interim Committee on Government was that all the legislators seemed to agree that Preliminary Draft 3259 is a work in progress, said Steve Key, executive director and gen- eral counsel for the Hoosier State Press Association. "Body cameras can serve as an accountability tool for interac- tions between police and citizens," Key said. "If the public can't see controversial footage, it becomes merely an exoneration tool for law enforcement agencies." The key sticking point: Who has the burden of proof in determin- ing whether video should be made available to the public? Under both the Open Door Law and Access to Public Records Act, the burden falls on the govern- ment unit that wants to either meet behind closed doors or deny access to a public record. Officials must cite the state statute that allows them to deny a record request or meet in secret. Preliminary Draft 3259 flips that premise. It gives law enforcement agen- cies the discretion to keep record- ings from body cameras and cruis- er cameras confidential. If a newspaper or private citi- zens want to challenge a denial, they must file a petition with a trial court judge seeking an order allowing them to inspect or copy the video. The burden falls on a newspaper or citizen to convince the judge that: • The public interest will be served by allowing access to the footage. T he boards of directors of the Hoosier State Press Association and HSPA Foundation have sepa- rately voted to make changes to bylaws to streamline and reflect current trends in the newspaper industry. The boards will reduce their numbers eventually to eight members apiece – down from the current 12 each. The smaller number reflects the reduction of publishers in the state, as many publishers take on multiple nameplates as part of their responsibilities. With 165 member newspapers in Indiana, there are only 90 publishers. HSPA Executive Director and General Counsel Steve Key said the smaller number would not dilute the diversity of opin- ions. The boards have decided to meet at the same time, with members of both boards partici- pating in discussion on policy before holding separate meet- ings to vote on action items. "This gets all the board mem- bers involved in discussion of issues and will keep everyone on the same page, working together to maximize resources to meet the goals of both the association and foundation," Key said. With smaller boards, the number of officers will also be reduced. The association will move for- ward with a president and sec- retary-treasurer while the foun- dation will have a president, vice president and treasurer. Officers' terms will now be two years rather than one. Recent past presidents Jon O'Bannon (The Corydon Democrat) for the association and Jack Pate (Evansville Courier & Press) of the founda- tion both said a second year See Bylaws, Page 4 See Access, Page 4 Seller's market: Sale of Home News Enterprises and Journal Media Group newspapers affects Indiana properties. Page 2 Hey, can they do that? Steve Key answers your media law questions. Page 3 Key Points: Bob Woodward's message is timeless – Get off the phone and knock on doors. Page 4 INSIDE What: Workshops on writing, photography and digital tools, followed by an awards luncheon When: Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015 Where: Indianapolis Marriott North Cost: $69 (payment not due at registration); fee increases after early-bird period. Registration: www.HSPAfoundation. org/events Information: sgoldsby@hspa.com or (317) 803-4772 Register now for reduced rates at Newsroom Seminar Newsroom Seminar & Awards Luncheon –– Editors & Advertising/Marketing Directors –– Mark your calendars for HSPA Job Fair When: Jan. 30, 2016 Where: Franklin College Why: Meet potential interns and employees New this year: Interviews for advertising and market- ing students Cost: $25 if registered by Nov. 20. Payment not due at registration. Registration: Watch for an email from HSPA with the registration link. Information: (317) 803-4772 Step 1 Go to www. HSPAfoundation. org/events and click through the links to register online. It takes just a few minutes. OR Fill out a form and fax it to HSPA at (317) 624-4428. To download a form, start at www. HSPAfoundation. org/events. Step 2 Mark your calendar for Dec. 5. (We said it was easy!) Payment isn't due at registration. You can mail a check or pay by credit card later. Your staff will receive an email with event details and directions the week of the Newsroom Seminar. Step 3 Go to the Indianapolis Marriott North on Saturday, Dec. 5 for top-notch training from Investigative Reporters and Editors and many others, followed by the awards luncheon. For all the details, start at www. HSPAfoundation. org/events. NEWSROOM SEMINAR – DEC. 5 Mark your calendar! HSPA Conference Sept. 15-16, 2016 Indianapolis