Ogden Newspapers, Inc. v. City of Williamstown

NEELY, Justice:

On 10 March 1993, The Parkersburg News, a division of Ogden Newspapers, Inc., made a written request under the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 1 to review the Williamstown Police Department’s incident report of a 22 February 1993 fight between two juveniles involving a gun. The newspaper requested a redacted copy of the report — one that did not name the two juveniles. The newspaper’s request was allegedly made in an effort to inform the public about incidents that impact the public safety and welfare. The newspaper asserts that it has historically been granted…