Iowa needs to stop keeping police discipline secret

The following column was written by Randy Evans, executive director of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council. The column appeared in several Iowa newspapers and news websites.The actions of journalists and police officers were in the spotlight last week in … Continue Reading


Reporter’s trial violates First Amendment freedoms

The following editorial by the Des Moines Register addresses the troubling trial that begins March 8 for a reporter who was arrested while covering protests in Des Moines in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd. The Iowa Freedom … Continue Reading




No justification for shutting the public out

The following column was written for a number of Iowa newspapers by Randy Evans, executive director of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council. There are some high-minded legal principles written into Iowa laws and rulings by our state’s Supreme Court. … Continue Reading


The governor has to follow the law, too

This column was written by Randy Evans, the executive director of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council. When the Iowa Legislature wrote the state’s public records law 50 years ago, lawmakers wanted to guarantee that anyone could obtain copies of … Continue Reading


State Fair meeting: Affront to open government

This column by Randy Evans, executive director of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council, has appeared in several newspapers and news websites. The decision last week to cancel the Iowa State Fair was a reminder of the seriousness of coronavirus … Continue Reading