EXPERTS & SPEAKERS
If you are interested in having a guest speaker or training on access targeted
to the specific needs and interests of your group, please call AccessNorthwest
at 509-335-2979, or email us at accessnw@wsu.edu. Or contact any of the following
experts in the field. If you would like to be part of our growing list of experts,
please send us your contact information and we'll happily include you. All
of these people also are willing to discuss access issues with journalists
for publication.
Alaska
Paola Banchero
Assistant professor of journalism at the University of Alaska Anchorage
and SPJ sunshine chair. Former newspaper reporter and editor. Can be
reached at 907-786-4194 or paola@uaa.alas.
Idaho
Allen Derr
Mr. Derr is a member of the board of the Idaho Press Club and a First
Amendment attorney. A graduate of the University of Idaho in 1951,
he worked in print journalism and radio before getting a law degree
in 1959. He has been involved in First Amendment law, litigating precedent-setting
cases and helping the Legislature draft access laws. You may contact
him via email at derrallen@aol.com.
Tom Grote
Executive director of the Idaho Newspaper Foundation, which as the right
of public access to government meetings and records as its primary
mission. Editor and publication of The Star-News, 1000 First Street,
McCall, ID, 83638, 208-634-2123, starnews@citlink.net.
Deb Kristensen
Ms. Kristensen is a media law attorney in Boise
for Givens Pursley LLP, 601 W. Bannock Street, Boise, Idaho, 83702.
She can be reached at (208) 388-1200.
Bill
Loving
Mr. Loving is chairman of the James E. Rogers Department
of Mass Communication at Idaho State University in Pocatello. He
has more than 10 years of experience in newspaper journalism, has
a law degree, and is co-author of the media law textbook "Law and
Mass Communication." He has worked as an expert witness and case
consultant in media law cases and litigates First Amendment and
access issues in state and federal courts. He can be reached at lovibill@isu.edu.
Betsy Russell
President of the Idaho Press Club and one of the key founders of Idahoans
for Open Government. She is a reporter for The Spokesman-Review covering
Idaho from Boise. She can be contacted at bzrussell@rmci.net.
Montana
Ian Marquand
Former national chair of the Society of Professional
Journalists’ national
FOI committee. Currently SPJ’s Project Sunshine chair for Montana
and vice-president of the Montana FOI Hotline. Special projects director
for Montana Television Network, KPAX-TV, P.O. Box 4827, Missoula, MT,
59806, 406-542-4449, ian@kpax.com.
John M. Shontz
Freedom of information attorney and former legislator. Answers questions
through the Montana FOI hotline. Do speaking and seminars in Montana
(pay for expenses). 208 N. Montana Suite 205, Helena, MT, 59601. Call
406-442-6520 or contact via email at shontz@mt.net.
Oregon
Tom Henderson
Former president of the Society of Professional
Journalists Greater Oregon Professional Chapter. Current editorial
writer for the Lewiston Morning Tribune. Initiated SPJ’s national “Do
You Feel Safer in the Dark?” campaign and a member of the
SPJ national FOIA committee. thenderson@lmtribune.com
Washington
David Cuillier
David Cuillier is a research assistant at AccessNorthwest
at the Edward R. Murrow School of Communication at Washington State
University.
He can answer questions regarding access law in the state or refer
people to attorneys as needed. He also provides access training
for groups such as media organizations. He can be reached at 509-335-2979
or at accessnw@wsu.edu.
Kristopher R. Passey
Former president of the Washington Coalition
for Open Government and owner of two community weekly and
three
monthly business newspapers in Washington.
Can be reached at or 360-659-1300 or passey@att.net.