A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to Gallia County, Ohio, on October 7, 2024. The request was made by South Ohio News, a media organization committed to comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
In line with the Ohio Open Records Law, §149.43 et seq., South Ohio News requested access to public records detailing all FOIA logs sent to the county from January 1, 2024, until October 7, 2024. The requested information includes the requester's name and organization, content of the request, date of the request and completion date, as well as the status of each FOIA request.
As a media organization serving the public interest through journalism, South Ohio News emphasized its role in gathering and reporting news. Access to these public records is essential for fulfilling professional responsibilities such as holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.
In light of this role in disseminating information to the public, South Ohio News has also requested a fee waiver typically granted to media professionals under the FOIA. This would enable more efficient access to important public records without undue financial burden.
South Ohio News remains committed to ensuring that government entities are transparent and accountable in their operations. This recent FOIA request serves as an example of this commitment.
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