Here we go again, in an Administration that talks constantly about transparency, apparently they don't want the media to be part of it.
Mayor Pedro Segarra's Media spokesperson recently put a lid on City Hall employees answering questions or providing information to any media people or journalists. In an e-mail circulated to City Hall Staff, Segarra's spokesperson Maribel La Luz stated "If any journalist e-mails or leaves a voicemail, please let me know before
responding,If a journalist gets you on the phone, tell them to
contact me directly with their request. We need to be aware of developing
stories. Thank you for your cooperation"
In a building that leaks information like a sieve, this may prove to be a difficult task, as well as illegal.Former Mayoral spokesperson Sarah Barr had issued a similar order that all FOI requests and requests for information had to go through her and Corporation Counsel at the time John Rose. I complained to the FOI Commission that filtering information and documents unnecessarily delayed the release of Public Information as required by the FOI Laws.
After a hearing , the Commission agreed with me and determined the policy was illegal and Barr and the City were ordered to stop.
I can understand that Mayor Segarra wants to control his message and the propaganda coming out of City Hall, but what do they have to hide. Everything conducted in that building is Public information and with some people in City Hall with a conscience, the information eventually will get out.
Ms. La Luz might want to take an FOI course to get herself up to speed on the Public's right to know. This is the public's business she is dealing with, not a press release for a Shakira concert.
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