This article was updated 8/26/2024 to reflect responses from the City of Hagerstown and Maryland Senator Paul Corderman.
Last Monday, Maryland Senator Paul Corderman hosted a meeting that brought together local officials and representatives from law enforcement agencies, the business community, the Washington County Health Department, and others. The gathering was intended to address issues of crime and other community concerns recently highlighted by Senator Corderman in an open letter to the Hagerstown City Council. Among those in attendance were Hagerstown Mayor Tekesha Martinez and Washington County Commissioners President John Barr, along with The Herald-Mail.
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For those of us at Radio Free Hub City, the meeting flew under the radar. We only learned of it when a concerned individual shared an article from The Herald-Mail, which reported that attendees were “surprised” to discover that someone had recorded the meeting. This revelation raises critical questions about government transparency and equitable access to public information.
In a democratic society, transparency is a cornerstone of good governance. The public has a right to know what their elected officials are discussing, especially when those discussions involve key issues like crime and public safety. This is why the apparent lack of public notice and the selective invitation of a single news outlet, which places all of its content behind a paywall, is so troubling.
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It is not merely the exclusion of other media outlets that raises concerns, but the broader implication that access to government deliberations could be restricted to those willing or able to pay for it. When the public’s access to information is mediated by a paywall, it creates a barrier that many simply cannot overcome. This is not just a matter of journalistic fairness; it is a question of public trust and the integrity of our democratic processes.
At Radio Free Hub City, we have dedicated ourselves to ensuring that the people of Washington County and beyond have access to the information they need, without the barrier of a paywall. For the past three years, we have worked tirelessly to build a platform where everyone, regardless of their financial situation, can stay informed about the issues that affect their lives.
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Yet, when government officials exclude us from important meetings while inviting other media outlets, it raises serious concerns. It suggests a preference for controlled narratives and selective dissemination of information, rather than an open and transparent exchange.
To address these concerns, we have reached out to Senator Corderman, as well as filed a Maryland Public Information Act request with the City of Hagerstown and Washington County Government, requesting a copy of any meeting minutes, notes, or transcripts. As of publishing of this opinion article, no answer has yet been received from Washington County Government. We believe the public deserves to know what was discussed in that room, especially since the meeting included key figures from local government and law enforcement.
As of August 26th, the City of Hagerstown and Senator Corderman both informed me that there were no minutes, notes, or transcripts, and directed me to the county since they recorded the meeting.
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Transparency should never be compromised, and it should certainly never be placed behind a paywall. Government meetings, especially those dealing with matters of public interest, should be accessible to all, not just to those with the resources to pay for information. We will continue to advocate for open access to government and the fair treatment of all media outlets in the pursuit of public knowledge.
Radio Free Hub City, unlike other news sources for Washington County, is locally owned, and is committed to ensuring that the people of Washington County are informed, engaged, and empowered. We stand ready to challenge any barriers that stand in the way of these principles.
Opinion article by Ken Buckler, President of Radio Free Hub City. All opinions are his own, and do not reflect those of our sponsors or clients.
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