What constitutes compliance?
The goal of the statewide public records access audit was to simulate a visit by an ordinary citizen seeking information on how government works, how taxpayer dollars are spent and what's happening in his or her community.

Agencies' interpretations of the law vary widely
Ask to see a couple of days' worth of police calls in Thatcher, and they sit you in front of the computer to scroll through it with you.

Video: How bureaucrats sidestep records requests
Watch part of a panel presentation before the Arizona League of Cities and Towns in which Merle Turchik, an assistant city attorney for Tucson, advises public officials how to handle requests for records they believe should be withheld.

In the media? It can matter
Those who took part in the audit of public records access in Arizona were instructed to identify themselves by name but, if possible, avoid disclosing they were journalists.

St. Johns officer files report on 'suspicious' AP reporter
Officer Creig Wallace Jr. of the St. Johns Police Department filed a "suspicious person" report on Associated Press reporter Jacques Billeaud after he requested records as part of the Arizona public records access audit.

Open-government concept under strain
Arizona law plainly says that public records "shall be open to inspection by any person at all times during office hours."

State's key lawmakers in the records-access issue
When lawmakers have questions on matters such as public- records access, they tend to start writing bills.

January 24, 2002

Sometimes it takes a fight to get look at documents
Public records tell homeowners about building projects in their neighborhoods. They contain key details about waste sites, air quality and document how government protects public safety and spends taxpayer money.

Records laws are big tools for the little person
Every citizen in Arizona - and across the nation - has the right to access information from the government. State and federal disclosure laws are the tools to help get it.

Utilization of public records
Examples of how news organizations have used public records to monitor government ...

Getting documents: A step-by-step guide
Here is a step-by-step guide to getting the information, provided by Daniel Barr, attorney for the state's First Amendment Coalition ...

Postcripts

Editorial reaction: 'a disturbing trend' among public officials
Newspapers from around the state react to the investigation.