Attention bloggers: Public records do not have to be on the Internet.
It came to Dome's attention recently that state agencies can legally decide not to make any information available online under the state's public records law.
"It is strictly discretionary with any public agency what they put online," explained press law expert Amanda Martin.
Many do, however. You can find voter registrations, lobbyists' filings and reports on state taxes, among other things. (But sadly, not much from the State Ethics Commission.)
The law will likely stay that way for the foreseeable future as well.
The N.C. Press Association has focused its efforts on strengthening public access to personnel records, among other fights, and so far bloggers have not organized an online records effort.
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