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In Mississippi, Gov't Text Messages Are Officially Public Records

Posted by timothy on from the scum-floats-for-a-reason dept.

New submitter Chris Elkins (3620071) writes "Text messages [by public officials about government business] are now officially considered public records. An investigative reporter fought for access to what he believed were public records. He took his fight to the state and won. Mississippi open government and transparency advocates view this unanimous commission opinion as precedent-setting for all government bodies and public officials in the state."

7 of 33 comments (clear)

  1. Burners by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Interesting

    In other news, sales of low-end prepaid phones in MS strangely doubled in recent days.

    The political class is adept at skirting these laws and going unpunished.

  2. Re:Awesome win for the Democrats... by Nidi62 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Anthony Weiner would like to have a word with you. I also think he has some pictures you might find interesting.

    --
    The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for it to be pitted against a slightly greater evil
  3. Re:Awesome win for the Democrats... by CrimsonAvenger · · Score: 4, Informative

    I take it you're unaware that the Mayor of Tupelo (who was trying to conceal his text messages from the press) is a Democrat?

    --

    "I do not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it"
  4. I find myself in agreement with the state of MS. by mmell · · Score: 3, Interesting
    At least, in this narrow instance. Elected (and appointed) government personnel are ostensibly held to a higher standard of accountability and transparency than other citizens. I am somewhat less certain about applying this to government employees (those hired for government jobs through civil hiring procedures), although there too I believe some higher standard should be held to apply, with said employees being notified in writing of the nature of that higher standard.

    The only viable alternative would be to explicitly require that government personnel use only government supplied mechanisms during performance of their appointed duties. If a government official is discussing government business, We The People have a right to know everything (unclassified) which is said by our government officials regarding the conduct of our government's business. Either use government supplied resources (neatly avoiding privacy issues) or get used to the fact that any public inquiry can reasonably be expected to expose more than public information to public scrutiny.

  5. Re:I find myself in agreement with the state of MS by geekoid · · Score: 3, Insightful

    If the work is done for the agency, then it's public record.
    This is why I don't use my personal devices for any government business.

    --
    The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
  6. Re:Awesome win for the Democrats... by J053 · · Score: 3, Funny

    He's a master baiter!

    Thank you, I'll be here all week. Try the fish, and please tip your waitress...

  7. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 3, Informative

    Comment removed based on user account deletion