NORTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATION OF BROADCASTERS AND NORTH CAROLINA PRESS ASSOCIATION VOICE THEIR SUPPORT FOR SENATE BILL 355, THE “GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENCY ACT OF 2021,” AND URGE ITS PASSAGE

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The North Carolina Association of Broadcasters (NCAB) 1 and the North Carolina Press Association (NCPA)2 strongly support the Government Transparency Act of 2021 – Senate Bill 355 – recently introduced by Senators Rabon (R-Bladen/Brunswick/New Hanover/Pender), Sanderson (R- Carteret/Craven/Pamlico), and Krawiec (R-Davie/Forsyth).

NCAB, on behalf of its more than 300 members (representing nearly 40 television stations and more 250 radio stations), and NCPA, on behalf of its more than 150 members, thank the sponsors of Senate Bill 355 and urge the North Carolina General Assembly to pass the Act and for Governor Cooper to sign it into law.

As stated in the preamble of the Government Transparency Act of 2021, the legislation aims to “strengthen confidence in government by increasing accessibility to public personnel hiring, firing, and performance records.” NCAB and NCPA believe that all North Carolinians benefit from more openness and transparency – not less.

North Carolina’s public records laws have long trailed the vast majority of states when it comes to providing access to state and local government personnel hiring, firing, and performance records, which are vital to the public's right to know. Passage of Senate Bill 355 can only inspire public confidence in North Carolina’s government.

NCAB and NCPA are proud to endorse the Government Transparency Act of 2021 and its goal of increasing the citizenry’s access to information about the actions and performance of public employees whose salaries are paid with taxpayer dollars.

Lisa Reynolds
NCAB Executive Director
lreynolds@ncbroadcast.com
919-821-7300


Phil Lucey
NCPA Executive Director
phil@ncpress.com
919-516-8013

1 NCAB is a voluntary, non-profit trade association that advocates for the interests of its member radio and television stations and, more generally, the interests of broadcasting in North Carolina.

2 NCPA is a media industry trade association whose regular members include the vast majority of daily and weekly newspapers located in North Carolina.