E16 What About the Public Information Act?

  • E33: The Queen's Cartoonist
  • E32: Interview with a Best of Show Winner, Chris Flood
  • E31: MDDC Internship Program
  • E30: Journalism Education
  • E29: Women to Watch Summer Speaker Series

Lisa Kershner works with citizens from all walks of life with one common goal, receiving access to public records. In this episode Kershner breaks down what the Public Information Act is and why it matters.

Guests

Lisa Kershner, Maryland’s Public Access Ombudsman

Appointed by the MD Attorney General to a 4-year term, Lisa Kershner is Maryland’s first Public Access Ombudsman. Opening the Office on March 30, 2016, she was reappointed to a second term in March 2020. Ms. Kershner’s primary activity has been to help PIA requestors and responding agencies resolve PIA issues voluntarily through constructive dialogue and practical problem-solving. Ms. Kershner is a long-time resident of Maryland, a Maryland lawyer, and graduate of UMCP and the University of Maryland School of Law. She brings to the Ombudsman role prior experience representing requestors and custodians under the PIA and FOIA, as well as experience representing participants in many types of mediation and litigation. After years of litigation practice, Ms. Kershner most enjoys the opportunity to help requestors and agencies solve problems without litigation!

Contact info: Phone 410-576-7037, email lkershner@oag.state.md.us

Links

Public Information Act Manual

Public Access Ombudsman website

About this episode

ITEMS DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE:

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES-or CONTRIBUTIONS:

Interested in supporting our podcast, and journalism? Contact Kevin Berrier (kberrier at mddcpress.com) at MDDC Advertising Services. Want to contribute? Please donate to our 501(c)(3) Press Foundation. Learn more

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO KNOW?

Have questions or want to learn more about a person or topic connected with local journalism Contact us

CONTRIBUTORS:

Rebecca Snyder (host). NaTavia Williams (podcast intern). Original music by Ruskin Nohe-Moren.