NC media: Public records law is clear, state e-mail must be saved

RALEIGH (AP) -- North Carolina's media organizations say it's clear the state's public records law requires e-mail sent by state workers to be saved and made available for public inspection.

North Carolina Press Association attorney John Bussian told a panel reviewing the state's e-mail retention rules that there is no need to change the law.

Bussian did propose that the Department of Cultural Resources change their policy, which allows workers to delete items they believe have only a short-term value. He said state workers shouldn't be making such a judgment.

Gov. Mike Easley ordered a review of state e-mail rules after the fired spokeswoman for the state Department of Health and Human Services said state employees were told to delete e-mails they sent to the governor's office.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)