Open Records Settlement in Atlanta

Two Cox Media Group’ brands, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) and Channel 2 Action News (WSB-TV), came to an agreement with the city of Atlanta over what was described as “systematic violations” of the Georgia Open Records Act.  

The Georgia Open Records Act is one of the primary sources for journalists and the public to learn how the government spends tax money and to hold elected officials accountable. 

In April, WSB-TV and the AJC joined forces to file a civil complaint to the Georgia attorney general, which claimed a culture of political interference and noncompliance, as obtaining records became increasingly difficult. The media organizations and Atlanta city officials — including new Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms — spent months negotiating, and a new agreement was reached.  

Under the agreement, the city will work with the news outlets over the next 90 days in drafting a comprehensive policy that will govern how the city responds to public records requests. This commitment to transparency by the City of Atlanta will open up city hall “unlike any other city in the country,” said WSB-TV Anchor Wendy Corona.  

For full coverage of the agreement and its impact on the community, read the AJC’s story.