Wyoming lawmakers unanimously voted to reverse a recently enacted rule that restricted photojournalists’ access to the chamber floors during legislative sessions, Victoria Advocate reports.
This decision follows significant public discourse and media scrutiny regarding the previous policy change.
Last month, a vote by the Legislature’s Select Committee on Legislative Facilities, Technology and Process had resulted in a 4-2 decision to prohibit photojournalists from the hallways of the chamber. Proponents of the change argued that the high volume of traffic in the chamber’s halls warranted a restriction for the sake of maintaining order. They contended that the use of mounted cameras for livestreaming legislative sessions still provided adequate visual coverage, and that photojournalists could take photos from designated gallery areas above the lawmakers.
However, during the committee’s recent meeting in Cheyenne, concerns about the rule’s implications for press freedom were raised. Senator Chris Rothfuss, a Democrat from Laramie who initially supported the changes, acknowledged that since the rule was adopted, significant objections had emerged that outweighed the rationale for the restrictions. He indicated that the arguments made in favor of the rule no longer seemed compelling.
The Legislative Service Office Director, Matt Obrecht, noted that typically only one photojournalist occupies the chamber’s hallways at any given time. This sentiment was echoed by LSO Deputy Administrator of Operations Anthony Sara, who mentioned that photojournalists are generally responsible in their movements and do not overcrowd the area.
Matthew Copeland, Chief Executive and Editor of WyoFile, represented the media’s perspective against the restrictions, emphasizing that limiting press access equates to limiting public access to their government. He cited the First Amendment, stating that any restriction on the press threatens the accountability and transparency necessary for a healthy democracy. Copeland argued that while technology may provide some coverage, it fails to capture the nuanced interactions and dynamics occurring during legislative sessions.
Senator Cale Case, a Republican from Casper, expressed concerns about replacing photojournalists with internal legislative staff to document sessions. He argued that such a substitution would diminish the realism and connection between lawmakers and the press.
