OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — KFOR is in a legal battle involving the Oklahoma State Department of Education, specifically State Superintendent Ryan Walters and his Press Secretary, Dan Isett.
KFOR-TV and The Institute for Free Speech filed a motion for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction on Monday.
Oklahoma Television Station Fights to Preserve Press Freedoms
For months, KFOR journalists have been refused access to public, State Board of Education meetings and placed in an overflow room.
KFOR journalists have been excluded from press conferences held by Walters following those board meetings.
Walters and Isett claim News 4, with its 75-year broadcast history, isn’t a legitimate news organization.
KFOR has always held our duty and responsibility to inform viewers in high regard.
This means holding government and elected officials accountable. We cannot do our jobs when we can’t ask those in public positions questions.
KFOR-TV and the Institute for Free Speech have spelled out those arguments in legal filings.