Governor Dannel Malloy has condemned the legislature’s decision to take over control of the CT-N public affairs network as “despicable.”
CT-N’s parent body, the Connecticut Public Affairs Network, ceased operations last week, after lawmakers imposed a 65 percent budget cut, and refused to allow the network full editorial control of its content.
The Office of Legislative Management has offered new contracts to CT-N staff, but so far this week, the network has produced no new coverage of state government.
Speaking at a news conference Tuesday, Malloy said the legislature’s bid to restrict what the public can see is unacceptable.
"The idea that members of the legislature don’t want anything but a hearing covered - they wouldn’t want this press conference covered, they would not want other things covered - is really quite outrageous if you think about it," he said. "What we have is a legislature that’s trying to close down transparency and we should be all about opening that transparency - going beyond where we already are."
Transparency in state government should be a priority for all. @CTNetworkTV is a valuable resource, providing #CT residents with a glimpse into all 3 branches of their government. Let’s get them back on the air, and with their own editorial independence. https://t.co/FKZGQygRT8
— Governor Dan Malloy (Archived) (@GovMalloyOffice) November 8, 2017
House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz said last week that while virtually all state services are being scaled back due to budget constraints, there is a commitment to continuing CT-N’s core mission.
So far, officials at OLM have refused to comment to WNPR on their plans for CT-N
