The Associated Press and the S.C. Press Association have completed a statewide Freedom of Information audit.
The stories below are for use by all SCPA members. IMPORTANT: Please observe release dates. If you are an SCPA member, you do not have to be an AP member to use these cooperative stories, but please give AP credit.
This is the second FOI Audit done in South Carolina. The first was done in 1999 and showed that the FOIA was complied with only about 70% of the time. This year’s audit dealt mainly with costs of public records and abuse of executive sessions.
AP Reporter Jim Davenport was the writer on this project and did an excellent job. Thanks to John Shurr and the SCPA FOI Committee for their work and ideas on this audit.
Click on the headlines below to download stories. Some mugshots are available if you need them. Contact SCPA with your requests.
Also linked below are graphics produced by Scott Farrand and Rachel Edwards from the USC School of Journalism.
• Audit shows weakness, strength in following secret meeting laws
• Fear, suspicion, ignorance block open records from public view
• Police agencies inconsistent when it comes to report access, costs
• Charleston Police Department: "Full of Love," lacking FOI knowledge
• Greenville police reports cost greenbacks, filled with blackouts
• Council, school board members appear ready for some FOI law change
• FOI Cost