Russell: Reason For Free Media Space

RE: Idaho media uses Capitol space rent free /Dustin Hurst, Idaho Reporter

Dustin, the space is not ours; it belongs to Legislative Services, which chooses to make it available to us during the session. The Legislature long has done this as a matter of public interest; it’s in the public’s interest that the business of the legislative session gets reported to the public. Lobbyists, who are here to represent their own interests and clients, rent a room in the capitol and pay for it.  In the past, in addition to the rent-free press work space for use during the session, there were several news outlets that also rented year-round space in the Capitol: The Associated Press, the Idaho Statesman, Idaho Public Television and NPR-Boise State Public Radio/ Betsy Russell , Idaho Press Club president. More here.

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