Media General Operations, Inc. v. State

Media General Corporation, publisher of the Tampa Tribune, seeks a writ of mandamus directed to the Chief Judge of the Sixth Judicial Circuit ordering him to release the audio recording of a sentencing hearing. Media General contends it is entitled to a copy of the recording because it is a record of the judicial branch and no exemption protects it from public disclosure.

Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420, which governs access to judicial branch records, states:(b) Definitions.(1) “Records of the judicial branch” are all records, regardless of physical form, characteristics, or…