The new FOIA law in Georgia only requires that athletic programs respond to open records requests within 90 business days. That’s not even necessarily the deadline for when the records are given. All the law requires is that a response is given by that time. Previously, and still for records unrelated to athletics, the law required a response be given within three days. This massive difference completely changes how quickly information is available to journalists and to the public.
On UGA’s site about open records, it says, “Placing unnecessary barriers between the people and the records to which the law entitles them access serves no positive purpose for the institution.” However, to me it seems that lengthening the time between an open records request and when a response is provided, is only there to benefit the institution. It almost eliminates transparency. By the time the records arrive in the hands of journalists, the news will be far in the past. That’s not to say this should be a deterrent to investigative work. It still needs to be done, but now it’s not best serving the public.
I don’t think this law is fair to journalists, other records requesters or the public’s interest. I believe that one of the roles of journalists is to hold institutions accountable for their actions and decisions. Without somewhat speedy access to open records, it is not possible to do this. And institutions that are free to act as they wish without proper checks are dangerous.