Burke County school board revokes a local paper’s special access after alleging repeated inaccuracies

The Burke County Board of Education on Dec. 15 read a formal statement accusing a local newspaper of "misleading, inaccurate, and distorted information" about district matters and voted to revoke the paper's special media-access privileges, including advanced briefings and priority interviews.

The statement, read during the open meeting, said the board values journalism but concluded the paper had "not met the basic expectations of accuracy, integrity and professionalism required for enhanced media access." The board resolved "effective immediately" to revoke advanced briefings, priority interview scheduling, behind-the-scenes accommodations and access to nonpublic areas.

Board members emphasized the action does not bar the newspaper from attending public board meetings, filing public-records requests or pursuing other legal remedies. In the statement, the board said those rights remain intact and that the district's commitment to transparency "remains unwavering." The board adopted the statement by voice vote; members answering individually included Mr. Kemp, Mrs. Rocket, Mr. Wyckoff, Tianna Buechler, Mr. Johnson, Mrs. Taylor and Mr. Beck.

The board framed the decision as a response to a pattern of reporting it described as harmful to public understanding rather than as a penalty for a single story. The action narrows only the district’s discretionary media privileges, the statement said.

The statement also directed the district to mail the adopted text to the appropriate party and to treat future media partnerships based on demonstrated accuracy and professionalism.

What happens next: the paper may continue to attend public meetings and seek records under state and federal law; the board said it will continue to work with media organizations that "prioritize accuracy, fairness, and ethical reporting."