Press release
from the North Carolina Press Association
The North Carolina Press Association has joined other media organizations in asking Gov.-elect Pat McCrory to allow full public access to his private swearing-in ceremony on Jan. 5.
McCrory is to be sworn into office during a private ceremony in the former House chamber of the old Capitol in Raleigh. Citing space restrictions in the chamber, only family members and other government officials will be allowed to attend along with just one reporter and one television camera to record the event.
While a public ceremonial inauguration is planned for a week later, the public will not be able to witness the Jan. 5 ceremony in person.
In a letter posted Dec. 28, the NCPA noted that McCrory ran for governor on a campaign of openness and transparency in government. “What more important event could a North Carolinian witness than the first official act of its new governor?” the letter asks. NCPA requests that the Jan. 5 ceremony be open to the public and include live, in-person press coverage in all forms.
NCPA is one of the oldest newspaper advocacy organizations in the nation, representing 190 daily and community newspapers and online news publications. Founded in 1873, it lobbies for newspapers and open government, provides free right-to-know legal advice and access brochures to newspapers and their readers.
Before you comment
The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.