Investigative Journalist Describes Challenges Accessing Public Records

Описание: Glen Stellmacher witnessed historic demonstrations sweep through Seattle the summer of 2020.

The tensions and violence he saw compelled him to seek details from Seattle Police regarding officer use of force and the deployment of chemical agents during unrest that gripped neighborhoods and citizens.

His journey seeking the truth about those events half a decade ago continues. Stellmacher insists critical questions remain unanswered to this day, and says legal action against SPD was required when the city did not comply producing entitled public documentation.

The Seattle Times recently reported it also is suing Seattle Police for what it alleges are violations of the Public Records Act.
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-...

The watchdog organization The Washington Coalition for Open Government champions the state's Public Records Act. The coalition criticizes various barriers which keep the public from accessing public records, and derides lawmakers who use legislative privilege to shield information from public review.
https://www.washcog.org

Since 2020, Stellmacher has collected information through public record requests and he has assumed the role of an investigative journalist. He has bylines in online news outlet Prism, and locally in Real Change. Stellmacher also publishes works to his own website Hardpressed.
https://www.hardpressed-info.com

The remainder of this Northwest Now episode can be found streaming at https://www.kbtc.org

Northwest Now broadcasts Friday evenings at 7:30 p.m. on KBTC Public Television.