What is Flatwater Free Press?

On Feb. 8, the news site presented a case before the Nebraska Supreme Court. During the research for an investigative article, one of the newsroom’s journalists requested public documents and was presented with a bill of $44,103.11. The newsroom argued this amount was excessive and brought it to court. They won the case in Lancaster County District Court and after an appeal, are awaiting a decision from the state’s supreme court.

Matt Wynn, the executive director of the Nebraska Journalism Trust, explains the reason for legal action. In an editorial published on Feb. 2, he writes, “If the $44,103.11 bill stood, it would allow the state — and any public body — to charge whatever exorbitant amount it pleased while attempting to keep public records shielded from public view.” He argues that this would irreparably damage Nebraska’s public records law.

By Aubrey Benton