A survey of education reporters finds that many believe public information officers for districts and other education groups often put up barriers to the free flow of information.
The information officers, sometimes at the behest of their superiors, often require advanced approval for reporter interviews with teachers or other employees, frequently monitor such interviews, or bar interviews or other news-gathering efforts altogether, according to the survey conducted on behalf of the Education Writers Association.
The survey of 190 journalist members of EWA, released this month, shows that they overwhelmingly agreed with the statement that “the public was not getting all the information it needs because of barriers agencies are imposing on journalists’ reporting practices.”
