The News-Press sues Homeland Security, FEMA over hurricane records

[True_Blue]

The News-Press and two other Florida Gannett newspapers sued the federal government today to get information relating to the 2004 hurricanes that devastated the state.

The News-Press, Pensacola News-Journal and FLORIDA TODAY filed the lawsuit in federal court in Fort Myers against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and its component, the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The newspapers want a federal judge to enforce the Freedom of Information Act and make those agencies turn over public records concerning the distribution of federal emergency aid in the wake of the storms.

“We want to review how the federal government distributed millions of dollars of taxpayers' money. There is no legal justification for that information to be withheld,” said Kate Marymont, executive editor of The News-Press, who has led Gannett’s effort in Florida to obtain the public records. "Just as frustrating as the lack of information is the lack of explanation. FEMA is offering no justification for handing out millions of dollars without any oversight."

Rep. Mark Foley, a Republican whose congressional district stretches from St. Lucie County to Charlotte County, agreed that FEMA should release all of its public records, including the names of people who received aid.

more....
http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050309/WEATHER01/50309004/1002/NEWS01

[rockedthevoteinMA]

1. How strange - it looks like the media is having a bit of buyers

remorse? :eyes:

See this thread "Journalists Push for Open Government"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1298278

[Wwagsthedog]

2. The HS/FEMA people may be so screwed up they can't produce

the info. I know some customs types and they are appalled at how badly they are being used by there new boss, HS.