Media / Journalists

The Transparency Project of Georgia values the essential role of a free press in holding government accountable. Here's how journalists can take part in and benefit from this project.

Take Part in the Project

Share your open meetings and public records battles with the Transparency Project of Georgia. Citizens and fellow journalists can benefit from your experiences. Post in our reply sections or send original articles and columns to our editorial team to be published as part of the project.

Can We Be of Assistance?

Not sure when a local school board can recess into executive session and discuss public business in private? Seen items listed on a consent agenda that were reportedly decided in "executive committee" and never discussed in an open public meeting? Been denied copies of a city, county, or school system budget?

The Transparency Project of Georgia is a resource for journalists navigating these issues. While we cannot provide legal counsel, we can share guidance on how Georgia's sunshine laws apply to common situations and connect you with appropriate legal resources.

Your Rights as a Georgia Journalist

Georgia journalists have the same fundamental open records rights as all citizens. The Open Records Act does not require requesters to identify themselves as journalists or to explain their purpose. Your legal rights to public records and public meetings are the same as those of any other Georgia citizen.

The Georgia Press Association publishes guidance for journalists on specific sunshine law issues and provides legal resources for members who face systematic obstruction. Membership in the GPA provides access to these resources and connects journalists with colleagues who have navigated similar challenges.

Practical Tips for Journalists

  • Always request in writing — a written request that cites the Open Records Act creates a legal record and makes it harder for an agency to deny receiving your request.
  • Be specific — the more precisely you identify the records you want, the less room there is for confusion or delay.
  • Know the three-day rule — agencies must respond within three business days. Track your request dates and follow up if you don't receive a response.
  • Ask for fee waivers — many agencies will waive or reduce fees for journalists, especially if the records serve a clear public interest.
  • Attend meetings consistently — government bodies that face regular press attendance are generally more careful about following proper procedures.
  • Publish about denials — reporting on improper denials creates accountability and helps other journalists and citizens understand what's happening.
Disclaimer: The Transparency Project of Georgia does not provide legal counsel. The opinions expressed on this site do not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney for individual legal guidance. This project is a research and information resource for open meetings and open records issues facing Georgia citizens and journalists.

Frequently Asked Questions for Journalists

Do journalists have greater open records rights than ordinary citizens in Georgia?

In most circumstances, no. The Georgia Open Records Act grants all citizens equal access to public records. Journalists do not have a special legal status that gives them broader access than private citizens in terms of which records they can obtain.

There are a few narrow distinctions — for example, journalists may obtain motor vehicle accident reports for news-gathering purposes without completing a citizen's "statement of need." But for the vast majority of records, the rights are the same.

How can journalists use this site to share open government experiences?

We encourage journalists to share their open records and open meetings battles with the Transparency Project of Georgia. Sharing these experiences helps other journalists and citizens understand what they might face, and it creates a public record of agency behavior that can influence future practice.

You can post in the comments section of relevant articles or send original articles and columns to our editorial team. We may publish your contribution as part of our project, giving credit to the original author.

Can the Transparency Project of Georgia help when a journalist is denied records?

Yes, within our capacity as a research and advocacy organization. While we cannot provide legal counsel, we can share guidance based on our knowledge of Georgia sunshine law, connect you with resources from the Georgia First Amendment Foundation, and help publicize systematic denials that warrant public attention.

For legal representation, we recommend contacting the Georgia Press Association or the GFAF's legal referral program, which can connect you with attorneys familiar with open records law.

What is a "consent agenda" and why should journalists pay attention to it?

A consent agenda is a block of routine items voted on together without separate discussion. The problem is that significant items are sometimes bundled into the consent agenda to avoid scrutiny. Watching for misuse of the consent agenda is a hallmark of good government watchdog reporting.

If you see an item on a consent agenda that doesn't belong there — a significant contract, a policy change, a personnel action — request that it be pulled for separate consideration. Most meeting rules allow any member of the body to make this request, and public advocates can request it during the public comment period.

What should a journalist do when a government attorney blocks records access?

Government attorneys sometimes advise their clients to withhold records beyond what the law permits. When this happens, request that the denial be made in writing with specific statutory citations. A verbal denial by a government attorney does not satisfy the agency's legal obligations.

If the written denial still appears to misapply an exemption, contact the Georgia Attorney General's Open Government Mediation Program. Courts have consistently held that exemptions must be narrowly construed and that the burden is on the government to justify withholding, not on the requester to justify access.

How can journalists help the broader cause of government transparency in Georgia?

The most powerful thing journalists can do is report consistently on open government issues — not just when a violation occurs, but as a routine beat. Citizens who understand their rights are the most effective check on government opacity, and consistent coverage builds that understanding.

Journalists who share their experiences with the Transparency Project of Georgia contribute to a collective record that helps identify patterns, support legislative advocacy, and educate future reporters and citizens. Transparency is not just a story — it's an infrastructure that makes good journalism possible.