The mainstream press represents itself to be the guardian of the people’s right to know. All too often, it tells the public only what they want it to know.

Back in March the Record & Landmark sent reporters to various local government agencies to request information that was a matter of public record. A few officials were not as forthcoming as they should have been, but the reporters did obtain the requested information within a reasonably brief period of time.

Iredell-Statesville Schools officials were the least co-operative. Iredell County Manager Joel Mashburn was commended for complying with the requests in a prompt and courteous manner.

Some observers thought it odd that the newspaper neglected to request information from one local agency that has a history of failing to comply with a request for public information.

Three years ago the Boone Report requested that the Statesville Housing Authority (SHA) furnish the salaries of its top officials. This information is clearly a matter of public record and can be compiled with a minimum of effort.

Despite repeated requests, the SHA failed to furnish the requested information. We published an article about the stonewalling and had several contacts with the agency’s attorney. Finally, over two months after the original request, the SHA provided the salary information.

The Record & Landmark story criticized various local officials for relatively minor lapses in responding to requests for information, but it has never said a word about the SHA’s blatant failure to comply with the public records law. If the newspaper is as concerned about the public’s right to know as it claims to be, why did it not send a reporter to request information from the Housing Authority.