Louisiana Press Association Honors Central City News with Freedom of Information Award

MARKSVILLE — The Louisiana Press Association Saturday night presented the coveted Freedom of Information Award for 2010 to the Central City News for its efforts to protect the public’s right to know in Louisiana.  The LPA, which was meeting in its 131st annual convention, is composed of virtually all of Louisiana’s daily and weekly newspapers.

Keith Magill, executive editor of the Houma Courier, presented the award to Central City News editor Woody Jenkins during the LPA annual awards banquet in Marksville.

For photos from the LPA convention, CLICK HERE.

Speaking on behalf of the judges, Magill said, “Sometimes it takes a crusader to right a wrong, and this year’s Freedom of Information Award winner definitely fits that bill.”

“Woody Jenkins, editor of the Central City News, has waged almost a one-man battle to open the records of city government to the public.”

“The problem is that Central City, a small community north of Baton Rouge, has taken privatization to the extreme.  It has, in essence, privatized its entire city government.  The national consulting firm CH2MHILL, according to the newspaper, receives $4 million of the city’s entire $5 million budget to handle every facet of the city’s day-to-day operations.”

“Problems came to a head last spring, when the city sponsored a campaign ad for the mayor.  Jenkins demanded public records related to the ad, but CH2MHILL and the city refused.  They claimed that since the consulting firm is a private company, its records are private too.  And that comes despite a provision in its contract with the city that says CH2MHILL will comply with the state’s open-meetings and public-records laws.”

“The newspaper sued, but a district judge sided with the city.  The Central City News appealed and is awaiting a decision.  Meanwhile, the court fight has imperiled the newspaper financially, and the [mayor’s] allies have started a competing newspaper and encouraged an on-going boycott of the Central City News.”

“One of the things that impressed the judges most was Jenkins’ tenacity in the face of major obstacles.  Often, he was the only person in the room fighting for the public’s right to know. The stories have implications that go beyond the battle in Central City;  they offer lessons for anyone dealing with the trend toward privatization of governmental services.  For its continuing fight for open government that is accountable to the people it serves, the Central City News is this year’s recipient of the Freedom of Information Award.”

Other award winners and nominees

Magill also cited the other nominees and award winners:

• 2nd Place — “The Lake Charles American Press (along with local TV station KPLC-TV) sued after a judge closed a bond hearing for a man accused of killing an 18-month-old child. Among reasons the judge cited was that she did not want pretrial publicity to prejudice a jury, which would cost the parish money if it had to move the trial.  The American Press argued that wasn’t sufficient reason to deny the public access.  In a case that could yield more openness in similar court proceedings, the state Supreme Court agreed.”

• 3rd Place — “The Advocate of Baton Rouge, whose stories and editorials led to school officials releasing documents they previously withheld.  The management study showed where the strengths and weaknesses of the local school system lie, and it names names.”

• “The Monroe News-Star wrote stories on public officials who sought to skirt the public-records law by conducting city business routinely on using their personal email accounts, which they maintained were private.”

• “The Bogalusa Daily News used public-records laws to obtain a letter that helped determine why the sheriff had dropped an ambulance service from the area’s 911 rotation.”

• “The Shreveport Times fought successfully for public records that helped it write stories showing Shreveport and Bossier City’s legal expenses.”

• “The Guardian-Journal of Homer continues to work with attorneys to seek State Police criminal records in a murder case that has been adjudicated.”

• “The Daily Iberian filed a complaint with the DA’s office that forced city officials to release records on what turned out to be a botched murder investigation by local police.  Its stories exposed the problems that led to the officers firing and prompted police to discipline the dispatcher involved.”

PHOTO: Central City News editor Woody Jenkins, graphic designer Terrie Palmer, and business development specialist Shara Pollard at the LPA Awards ceremonies Saturday night