Impact of public records project called profound

HELENA - The news media's statewide audit of access to public records will have a profound impact on the right of citizens to know what government is doing in Montana, journalists were told Saturday.

John Shontz, the lead attorney for the media-funded Montana Freedom of Information Hotline, said the survey has resulted in a flood of calls to his office from citizens denied access to government records and meetings.

Calls to the hotline increased from an average of about eight a month last year to six calls a day after the news media published and broadcast results of the government records aud...