Texas A&M University officials will take a second look at a controversial decision seen as an attempt to prevent student journalists at Tarleton State University from investigating the school’s public records.
Part of the heat on A&M came in the form of a letter from 15 national journalism organizations opposing the rule, including the National Society of Newspaper Columnists.
The A&M rule, on the books for many years, prohibits employees from making public information requests of their employer.
A&M’s general counsel said, “It’s not intended in any way to inhibit the ability of any journalism professor to teach about the Public Information Act.”
Students, under the A&M rule, can make public information requests on their own. Faculty and staff can make them as private citizens.
“I’m very heartened they’re going to review this policy,” said Megan Kamerick, president of the Journalism and Women Symposium, the group that initiated the protest effort among journalist groups.
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