Reporters Committee releases report on Gonzales, press freedom, and the public’s right to know

The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press today released its “Evaluation of the likely impact of Attorney General Nominee Alberto Gonzales on Press Freedoms and the Public’s Right to Know.”

The Reporters Committee staff researched Mr. Gonzales’ performance as a judge on the Texas Supreme Court from January 1999 to December 2000 and as White House counsel since January 2001.

Gonzales’ role as White House counsel reveals a penchant for strictly regulating access to government and executive-branch information, while his term on the Texas high court indicates a recognition of the First Amendment interests in newsgathering and reporting.

If confirmed, he will have an even greater role in setting the standard for public access to government information and federal officials’ interactions with reporters.

The report is available here.