II: Rules for Pa. Right-to-Know Law survey
The Associated Press
How the audit of compliance with Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law was conducted:
How the audit of compliance with Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law was conducted:
- Requestors were issued guidelines and standard request forms.
- The survey took place Oct. 6-7.
- Visits were made to municipal and county governments, police agencies and school offices.
- Representatives of 34 media organizations and a college journalism class sought school superintendents' contracts; 911 emergency time response logs and police blotters for the 24-hour period of Oct. 3; job applications or resumes of public officials; and three recent grant applications.
- Auditors were told to introduce themselves by name, and to reveal their media organization if told that was a requirement of obtaining access.
- Follow-up visits were required.
- After 35 days, when the law's time period for responses had expired, audit forms were sent to The Associated Press office in Harrisburg, where they were compiled and analyzed with the assistance of Kim de Bourbon, executive director of the Pennsylvania Freedom of Information Coalition.