The Illinois News Broadcasters Association, the RTDNA, and other journalism groups are criticizing a new policy implemented by Marilyn Hite Ross, who is the new state's attorney in Winnebago County in northern Illinois. The policy dictates that journalists seeking to interview her must submit their questions ahead of time. She will immediately end any interview if a reporter deviates from the approved list of questions.
Hite Ross was appointed to fill an unexpired term after her predecessor was elected judge. She has declined to comment on why she’s imposing the new policy for journalists.
The Shop Talk panelists discuss why they feel the policy is the wrong approach for someone who holds public office.
Shop Talk is a weekly panel discussion about journalism issues. This week’s program featured Will Buss, who teaches in the Department of Broadcasting and Journalism at Western Illinois University and advises the student editors at the Western Courier; Patrick Johnson, who teaches in the Department of Broadcasting and Journalism at WIU and advises Western’s student radio station WIUS/The Dog; and TSPR News Director Rich Egger.
