House Bill 4011, sponsored by State Representative Kurt Heise (R-20), would amend the Michigan Freedom of Information Act to eliminate the ability of journalists and the public to obtain access to audio recordings of 911 emergency calls. Written transcripts and reports would still be available.
News organizations would have to prove that the public interest in disclosing the audio recordings outweighs the public interest of non-disclosure in order to obtain audio recordings. The judge of this public interest standard is unclear.
There are exceptions: a) audio can be released if the caller or a representative of the caller gives permission; b) audio can be released if the tapes are requested by law enforcement in conduct of an investigation; c) the courts can order the release of the audio recordings.
This bill will also greatly hinder public oversight of public safety agencies.
According to one MAB member, recently in Flint, 911 recordings helped the Flint Journal expose serious issues in how the Flint police dispatch center failed to stop a rape in progress.
A few years ago, a 911 call was used to uncover a situation of non-responsive emergency operators in the Northern Michigan area, which resulted in a person drowning.
Source: Michigan Association of Broadcasters Alert
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