Transparency Wins

It’s not often there’s a win for transparency in our line of work but, last week, Wyoming’s Fourth Estate got one.

After first voting to recommend a policy change which would restrict the access of photojournalists and broadcast journalists, the Select Committee on Legislative Facilities, Technology and Process reversed course on October 24. The policy change first passed on a 4-2 vote, with Senator Cale Case (R- Lander) and Representative Mike Yin (D - Jackson) voting against the measure on September 18. With the recommendation for approval, it was bound for the Management Council for adoption in November.

Instead, the select committee revisited the policy.

Senator Dan Laursen (R - Powell), one of the votes for the policy change, asked Case—the chairman of the committee—to add the policy to the agenda noting there was “quite a lot of chatter out there in the media.” Laursen wasn’t the only one who, despite having originally supported the policy, said he was willing to revisit the issue. Senator Chris Rothfuss (D - Laramie) said he had heard feedback as well, adding, “I was not a strong supporter. Just a supporter.”

As the select committee revisited the policy change, some potential compromises were offered. One would have allowed access on specific days during the session and the other would have meant the Legislative Service Office would be taking photos for media use. Case said neither of those compromises were adequate for the media.

He’s absolutely correct.

With all due respect to the professionals at the Legislative Service Office, photos taken by them would not suffice during the legislative session. First, they already have their hands full with the other matters to address during a session. Secondly, while they may get a decent photo of a legislator speaking or talking with a colleague, photojournalists know what makes a great shot for a newspaper.

It is the job of a photojournalist, as Case said, to catch the “drama of the legislature.”

Ultimately, the Select Committee on Legislative Facilities, Technology and Process voted unanimously against recommending the policy to the Management Council. While we thank the select committee for revisiting the issue, we believe a special thanks also goes to Senator Cale Case.

While there have been times in the past where the senator and Wyoming newspapers may have been on the opposite sides of an issue, we appreciate his stance on ensuring transparency in the Wyoming Legislature.