http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wium/local-wium-918821.mp3
Macomb, IL – The panelists discuss the decision by a North Carolina public TV station to hand over a reporter's materials to a legislative panel.
The case is the subject of an article in the magazine Current, which covers public broadcasting in the United States.
The article says the materials handed over to the committee concerned a journalist's investigation into the licensing of hydroelectric dams by aluminum giant Alcoa. UNC-TV based its decision on the fact that it's an agency of the state because it's licensed to a state university system.
after UNC-TV complied with the legislative request, Alcoa filed an open records request for the reporter's materials.
There are concerns this case could cause other state legislatures to take similar action and thus have a chilling effect on the ability of public broadcasters to do investigative reporting.
Some public broadcasters say they would fight any attempt by lawmakers to obtain reporter materials gathered during an investigation.