Last year, we had several discussions around local media and journalism (see Hyperlocal or Just Hyper? Future of Journalism). A recent battle between Governor Pat Quinn and WBEZ in Chicago highlights the role of local media in informing the public. This debate has arisen around access to Illinois’ prisons. The Quinn administration has (in the opinion of WBEZ) severely limited media access, so that the public does not have a way to monitor conditions. Here is the radio piece from WBEZ:
Quinn’s half-measures on prison openness
A new prison access policy offers tours to reporters, but not the ability to report well. And it took the threat of a federal lawsuit to get that much.
For an additional view, there is a report from CBS 2 Chicago, Quinn Rethinks Ban on Reporters at State Prisons.