After Stories Hit Close to Home, Iowa Governor “Restricts” Records

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Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack believes that old records from his office, sent to the state archives, should have “restricted” access, and be reviewed by a member of his staff before anyone from the public is allowed to see them. Vilsack ordered the archives to protect the records after reporters for the Des Moines Register used some of the documents as background for a story on gubernatorial decision making. “This isn’t an effort to prevent people from looking at stuff,” the governor said. “It’s a method to ensure the confidentiality provided by law is maintained.” (10/21/05)