WBA Foundation expands debates to statewide primaries
The Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Foundation is expanding its election year tradition of hosting broadcast debates by adding debates for this year’s statewide primary races. The hour-long debates for the Democratic gubernatorial race and Republican U.S. Senate race will be offered…
Awards to recognize openness, lack of openness
Each year since 2007, the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council has given out Openness in Government awards, or Opees, to worthy recipients. Most are positive, including one this year to Gov. Scott Walker. But there is a negative award, and…
Wisconsin broadcasters go to Capitol Hill
The Wisconsin Broadcasters Association took more than 35 broadcasters to Capitol Hill on Feb. 28 to meet with the state’s legislative delegation to talk about issues important to helping broadcasters continue their public service mission. The broadcasters met in the…
Is it taking more time to get open records requests fulfilled?
The Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council is looking for more information about the time it takes for newsrooms to have open records requests fulfilled. There was anecdotal evidence presented at the meeting suggesting the wait times are getting longer. We…
News directors testify on body cameras bill
The news directors from two Wisconsin television stations testified to a State Senate committee about their concerns with a bill that would regulate the use of police body cameras and public access to video collected by the cameras. Ben Hart…
Column: Citizens have a right to electronic records
Computers have made examining government records easier than ever. The smallest townships across Wisconsin post the meeting agendas and minutes online. And websites for government agencies at all levels contain an enormous amount of other information. Electronic records are also…
Nominations sought for 2018 Opee Awards
The Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council, a nonprofit group that works to protect access to public meetings and records, is now accepting nominations for its annual Openness in Government Awards, or Opees. Awards are given in six categories: Popee (political…
Broadcaster testifies in favor of tax exemption bill
A Mauston radio broadcaster testified on Dec. 12 in front of a Wisconsin State Senate committee in support of a bill that would provide a sales and use tax exemption for commercial radio and TV stations. Jim Murphy owns WRJC-AM/FM…
Majority of House of Representatives backs Local Radio Freedom Act
A majority of the House of Representatives now supports the Local Radio Freedom Act after a bipartisan group of five House members signed a resolution opposing “any new performance fee, tax, royalty, or other charge” on local broadcast radio stations….
