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11/03/2019 11:00 PMA press inquiry policy that requires all media requests for comment to be forwarded to the First Selectman’s Office is in effect in Clinton. The enforcement of the policy has raised questions about free speech, access to public information, and worker protection.
On Oct. 24, a Harbor News reporter asking a town hall employee about election night logistics was told by that employee that questions must be submitted to First Selectman Christine Goupil’s office before the employee could answer. (Democrat Goupil is a candidate in the Nov. 5 election in question; she is seeking a seat on the Town Council.)
The Harbor News acquired a copy of an email reminding staff of the policy sent by Administrative Assistant Mary Schettino on Oct. 23 to all town department heads as well as three land use office employees.
The questions from the Harbor News pertaining to the election were approved and answered by an employee later in the day on Oct. 24.
Goupil said that the policy was not a new one, and that it followed the same policy from other towns.
“Protocol for press requests was discussed at a department head meeting when I was elected,” Goupil wrote in one message to the Harbor News.
The Harbor News and its six sister publications covering 13 area towns have not encountered enforcement of a policy similar to this one before the Oct. 24 inquiry.
After the Nov. 5 election, the town will adopt a Town Council/town manager form of government. Goupil said she has been working to implement policies and procedures that she believes an incoming town manager will expect to have already been in place when he or she comes aboard.
Goupil said that the policy provided advantages such as clarity and accuracy when publicizing information, and that most staff already follow the policy and alert her about questions from the press. Goupil said that in turn allows the town to know what kinds of information people are curious about and what information needs to be more clearly communicated to the public.
The Oct. 23 email reiterating the policy “was related to information about the election that I felt could have been clarified better if I had been able to review the question,” Goupil said.
The policy currently applies only to press inquiries; town staff can currently answer questions from members of the general public without first clearing the question through the First Selectman’s Office.
Harbor News Editor Brian Boyd expressed concerns about the policy’s effect on open government.
“A policy like this may in some instances help accomplish its stated aim—to provide clearer communications—but it could also have some frightening effects,” Boyd said. “Adding a lag that could prevent useful information from reaching the public by press time is a minor concern compared to other possible conflicts. Readers are very unlikely to learn if department heads are having issues with their management if that management is in control of their pipeline to the public, for instance. With no whistleblower protection in the policy, town employees might reasonably expect retribution for publicly disagreeing with the town’s top official.”
Asked about the possibility of discouraging employees from sharing facts that may not reflect well on the town, Goupil did not perceive that to be an issue. Goupil did not specify what, if any, discipline would be handed out if someone spoke with the press without authorization.
“That hasn’t been an issue,” Goupil said.
“I’m a proponent of the press and am very concerned by attacks on the freedom of speech in the U.S. and abroad. I support the Committee to Protect Journalists an am saddened by the press attacks particularly in contact zones,” Goupil said.