Q&A: School district radio station

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From the South Bend Tribune:

Q: A local school board records its public meetings and posts the audio files on the district’s website, but it cuts the audio recording off before the public input portion for its broadcast on the district’s radio station. Would this be a violation of the state’s Open Door Law?

A: The district radio show is a public-relations vehicle for the school district. I would say they are free to edit it in whatever fashion that suits them.

If they want to end the show prior to the public comments, I don’t have any legal issue with it. From an ethical standpoint, I would hope they note somewhere that it’s an edited version.

Contact Steve Key, HSPA executive director and general counsel, with media law questions at skey@hspa.com or (317) 624-4427.