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Local TV news station KFOR filed a lawsuit this week, alleging Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters and his agency spokesman violated their journalists’ rights of free speech and press by barring them from public meetings and press conferences.
KFOR asked U.S. District Judge Bernard Jones to issue a temporary restraining order to force Walters and his communications director, Dan Isett, to allow the station’s reporters access to Thursday’s meeting of the Board of Education.
Jones did so Wednesday, prohibiting Walters, Isett or any other department staffer from denying KFOR access to board meetings and any follow-up press conferences for 14 days.
Isett said KFOR was excluded because it is not a legitimate news organization.
KFOR-TV reporters were relegated to an overflow room at the March 28, June 27, July 31 and Aug. 22 board meetings. Isett denied them access to press conferences held by Walters immediately following those meetings, too. Twice, Isett placed his hands on KFOR reporter Dylan Brown to keep him back; those interactions were documented on video.
The news outlet’s central argument is that their exclusion from public events is unconstitutional discrimination, and that the First Amendment doesn’t permit government officials to deny journalists the ability to newsgather based on an arbitrary decision of whether they are legitimate or not.
KFOR is credentialed by the Legislative Services Bureau for access to the Capitol complex, which includes the Hodge Building, where the Board of Education meetings are held.
The Board of Education’s September meeting starts at 9:30 a.m. Thursday. We’ll be covering it. Questions, comments, story ideas? As always please reach out via email.
— Jennifer Palmer
Recommended Reading
- The daughter of an Edmond high school teacher targeted for license revocation by Superintendent Ryan Walters described to the Board of Education the negative impact of online hate toward her family. [The Oklahoman] State seeking to decertify teacher over 5-year-old Instagram photo [Oklahoma Watch]
- Several states, including Oklahoma, lowered student test scores needed for proficiency, renewing criticism of a testing honesty gap. [The 74]
- Surge of threats disrupting school for students across Oklahoma. Districts are trying to dispel rumors and reassure parents. [Tulsa World]
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