UNITED STATES
Commercial Appeal
By Deborah Fisher, Special to Viewpoint
There’s a great scene about public records in the movie “Spotlight,” which is based on the true story of The Boston Globe’s investigative reporting of child sex abuse by Catholic priests.
Reporter Michael Rezendes rushes to the court clerk’s office to get an exhibit that had been filed as part of a court motion. It contained letters and evidence that showed the Archdiocese of Boston had known about the molestation of children for years, but failed to stop it.
“Those records are sealed,” says the clerk.
“No, that’s a public motion. Those records are public. I work for the Globe,” Rezendes replies.
“Good for you,” the clerk says, unmoved.
Rezendes then goes to the judge’s office.
“These exhibits you are after, Mr. Rezendes, they are very sensitive records,” the judge says.
“With all due respect, your honor, that’s not the question. The records are public,” the reporter says.
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