The legislation which would limit access to some public records has passed the Utah House and that's intensifying opponents.

Joel Campbell, an assistant professor of communications at BYU, sent an e-mail to journalists on Thursday asking for them to get loud and organized. Maybe Campbell was inspired by some fishermen.

The Spectrum in St. George published an editorial Thursday opposing the bill. Other Utah newspapers have published similar editorials.

The attorney general's office, which is backing the bill, says House Bill 122 will preserve attorney work product and protect criminal investigations.

An excerpt of Campbell's e-mail and his talking points are below.

— NC

Dear Friends of Open Government

You can make a difference by making a call or writing something today. Its (sic) time to alert everyone we know, citizens, journalists and officials about HB122, sponsored by Rep. Doug Aagard, R-Kaysville.

HB122 passed the House yesterday. We need to contact Senators. I have attached new talking points that address the bill as amended in the House. Please editorialize on it, blog about it, facebook it, twitter it and distribute widely and, most importantly, call, fax or write your senator! We should also call and write Mark Shurtleff, whose office is pushing this bill and ask the Governor to veto this bill if it comes to his desk. We are going to lose this one if we don't start communicating our concerns to senators.

H.B.122.Talking.Points.02.18.09.pdf

Labels: Crime, GRAMA, Legislature