FOI Committee

The S.C. Press Association’s Freedom of Information Committee is charged with the following tasks and responsibilities:

• • Dealing with open government issues and initiatives
  • Setting long-term FOI objectives and priorities
  • To determine positions on particular bills if needed
  • To advise the professional staff on how particular FOI issues and bills will affect the industry
  • To assist in direct lobbying contact as set out by the committee, the chairman or the executive director
  • To assist in administering FOI Fund assistance through its chairperson

SCPA’s FOI Committee is the NFOIC’s affiliate for the Palmetto State. The National Freedom of Information Coalition is the umbrella organization for the state freedom of information groups and holds a yearly conference to discuss problems in the states. 

SCPA’s FOI Committee Members include:

• • Richard S. Whiting, FOI Chair, Index-Journal, Greenwood
  • Taylor M. Smith IV, Attorney, S.C.  Press Association, Harrison Radeker & Smith, P.A.
  • Jay Bender, Attorney, S.C.  Press Association, Baker, Ravenel & Bender, LLP
  • Martin Cahn, Chronicle-Independent, Camden
  • Jeffrey Collins, Associated Press, Columbia
  • Cliff Harrington, The Herald, Rock Hill
  • Kayla Green, The Sumter Item
  • Travis Jenkins, The News & Reporter, Chester
  • Patricia O’Connor, The Sun News, Retired
  • Charles Perry, The Post and Courier Myrtle Beach/Georgetown Times
  • Eric Robinson, University of South Carolina and Fenno Law Firm
  • Brian Tolley, The State, The Island Packet, Beaufort Gazette, The Sun News
  • Jen Madden, S.C.  Press Association