The statistics show that readers of the Evansville Observer are lisening in to Evansville City meetings, as well as other meetings, even Church sermons aka the Good News, and this growth has been seen since distribution in Itunes and Mediafly.com where people all across the nation can listen. The graph above is of just the listeners to City meetings.
The Evansville Observer has requested of the City of Evansville under the Freedom of Information Act, the release of the digital records of the Common Council and Planning Commission for podcasts. The City has refused this request on the basis that these are just private records so they can prepare minutes.
Ah yes. Memories of Richard Nixon.
Stay tuned. Listen in. Citizens want to know what their government is doing even if they cannot attend the lengthy meetings.
Good for you, Observer. This would be a great service to the community and the idea that the city will not release them is simply obstructing the public's right to know about the public business. In light of your willingness to report this information without charge there refusal is pointless stonewalling. After all what is the cost to the city for providing digital records? I would assume none. I hope you continue to pursue this.
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