Continuing to Persist: How Journalists Preceive Threats, Fatigue, and Willingness to Submit Future Public Records Requests

Abstract

This study explored journalists’ perceptions of threats related to their work, fatigue related to requesting public records, expectations of timely fulfillment of records requests, and willingness to use public records in their reporting. Overall, journalists reported high levels of concern about threats to press freedom, legal threats related to their news content, and losing access to public records. Journalists who perceived higher levels of difficulty requesting public records tended to perceive lower likelihood that records requests would be fulfilled in a timely manner. Journalists with higher levels of fatigue related to requesting public records were less likely to use public records in their reporting. Fortunately, most journalists who had requested public records indicated requesting public records is worth their time.