In the summer of 2001, journalists from 25 newspapers and The Associated Press asked for copies of public records throughout Washington state. They did not identify themselves as journalists unless specifically asked; the goal was to determine how non-journalists would be treated if they were to make such requests.

Stories:

• Introduction

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• Lead story: Audit finds that compliance with open records law is a sometime thing

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• Access sometimes is costly

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• Access an issue for everyday citizens

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• Police incident reports occupy gray area in public records law

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• In some parts of Washington, sex offender lists still guarded

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• Seattle stadium projects prompted $30 million lawsuit

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• Watergate scandal helped pry open government records

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• Tips make record gathering easier

How each county in Washington complied

• Home values

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• Restaurant inspections

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• Sex offenders

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• School superintendent contracts

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• Crime incident reports

Online resources

Participating newspapers

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