Article Summary –
The Montana attorney general’s office issued a cease-and-desist letter to the Daily Montanan for publishing a confidential 381-page survey on workplace culture at the Montana Highway Patrol, which criticized Attorney General Austin Knudsen’s management. The Daily Montanan’s attorneys argued that the publication did not include personal identifiers and accused the attorney general of attempting to silence and intimidate the press. Despite threats of legal action, the news outlet maintained that the public had a right to know about the management issues at the MHP, indicating a clear public interest in the survey’s findings.
The Montana attorney general’s office has demanded a state news outlet take down a 381-page internal survey about the Montana Highway Patrol’s workplace culture and leadership. The survey, published by the Daily Montanan, a part of States Newsroom, reportedly includes sensitive information about MHP employees. Attorney General Austin Knudsen oversees the Montana Highway Patrol.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) sent a cease-and-desist letter to the Daily Montanan, calling the survey a “confidential document” and requesting the removal of the survey and edits to the related article. DOJ general counsel Chad Vanisko emphasized, “The version of the Climate Assessment you published contains sensitive and private information.” He warned of possible legal action if the demands are not met.
The Daily Montanan’s August 16 article remains accessible and unaltered. The article includes feedback from MHP employees criticizing Knudsen’s management. The Daily Montanan’s attorneys argued the cease-and-desist letter is an attempt to “silence and intimidate reporters,” noting that personal identifiers in the survey were redacted.
Sommers-Flanagan, director of Upper Seven Law, released the cease-and-desist letter and the news outlet’s response. The attorney general’s office declined to comment. The Daily Montanan reported personnel describing the organization as “a sinking ship” due to micromanagement by Knudsen, who is seeking re-election.
The survey, conducted in January and February by Team Training Associates LLC, was found with black redactions over individual names. The Daily Montanan stated it received the survey from a source fearing retaliation. The survey’s introduction noted that some remarks were excluded for personal identification purposes.
The report, aimed at organizational improvement, recommended sharing findings with participants for transparency. In responding to the cease-and-desist, Sommers-Flanagan cited Montana’s right to know provision, arguing the public has a compelling interest in the survey’s findings.
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