Part of the Minnesota Journalism Center's series connecting nonprofit and member-supported news organizations across the state
The Minnesota Journalism Center's cohort of nonprofit and member-supported news organizations gathered in May with experts from Minnesotans for Open Government to learn about open records and public meetings access in Minnesota.
In this replay of the session, you'll hear from Star Tribune data editor MaryJo Webster, law firm investigations director Brandon Stahl and Minnesota data practices expert Don Gemberling on Minnesota’s open records and meetings laws.
The session, which could be required watching for all Minnesota journalists, will walk you through ways to identify the records you might need for a story, what to do to get them, how to negotiate costs and what to do when your requests are denied.
Presentation slides + tipsheet
Related links and resources from the conversation
- Minnesota Government Data Practices laws (full text)
- Minnesota Data Practices Office
- Data practices Advisory opinions
- Minnesota DPA resources
- Minnesotans for Open Government resources:
- Link to presentation slides (Google Slides)
- Guide: Using the Data Practices Act
- Sample Data Practices Act request letter
- Tipsheet: Minnesota Data Practices Act
- Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press: Minnesota open government guide
- Minnesota government data practices portals
- Minneapolis public data portal
- St. Paul open information portal
From Minnesotans for Open Government:
If you’re a Minnesota citizen or reporter who needs help accessing government records or a governmental body’s public meeting, we can answer your questions and explain potential options. We can also help guide you through the process making an open records request and what to expect once you’ve made it. We offer no legal services.
Contact MNCOGI spokesperson Don Gemberling at [email protected].
Connect with the speakers
- Brandon Stahl, director of investigations, Storms Dworak
- MaryJo Webster, data editor, Minnesota Star Tribune
- Don Gemberling, board secretary, Minnesotans for Open Government
This session was part of the Minnesota Journalism Center's series of events and training focused on connecting nonprofit and member-supported news organizations> across the state. | Interested in joining the cohort? Sign up to stay in the loop about the group's meetups, events and other opportunities to connect, learn and grow together.
Do you have ideas for other MJC training sessions or cohort conversations? Contact Meg Martin ([email protected]) to share your ideas.
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