Agent Trial
Trading Prediction Markets AI Agent Context Fastest News API Agent Trial Log In Sign Up
News Wire / politics

Axios Alleges Governor Ferguson Controls Information Flow

developing KIRO FM Seattle Olympia 44d44d Impact 5

Documents obtained by Axios from the governor's office and five different agencies suggest information is being delayed or held back. This lack of transparency is raising questions regarding whether state residents are being denied access to critical information. The delay reportedly involves agencies across Olympia. Agencies including the Department of Health, transportation, and the Washington State Patrol have been directed to contact the governor's office before publishing news releases or responding to media inquiries. Records show the governor's office delayed a notice regarding a confirmed measles case at SeaTac Airport in October to make changes to the shared information. Staffers have reportedly expressed frustration with the requirement to run all communications through the governor's office.

Documents obtained by Axios from the governor's office and five different agencies suggest information is being delayed or held back. This lack of transparency is raising questions regarding whether state residents are being denied access to critical information. The delay reportedly involves agencies across Olympia. Agencies including the Department of Health, transportation, and the Washington State Patrol have been directed to contact the governor's office before publishing news releases or responding to media inquiries. Records show the governor's office delayed a notice regarding a confirmed measles case at SeaTac Airport in October to make changes to the shared information. Staffers have reportedly expressed frustration with the requirement to run all communications through the governor's office. Employees described the process using terms such as "grueling," "painful," and a "continual barrier." The governor's office has not responded to inquiries regarding these delays made over a month ago. A communication director stated the current policy promotes collaboration across agencies and requires time for adjustment. Staffers from three previous administrations reported that none of those governors utilized similar information control policies, according to Axios. A new report alleges that Governor Bob Ferguson's office is tightly controlling information reaching the public and the press. The allegations suggest these delays occur across various departments. Uncovered emails reportedly show the governor's office managing the flow of information, according to the Axios investigation.

Topics

transparency public health infrastructure

Developing

  1. 893d Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore.
  2. 893d Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.
  3. 893d Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est.
  4. 893d Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium.

Sources · 7 independent

KIRO FM Seattle

“All of that information held back or delayed by the governor's office, which is raising big questions about transparency, but also whether vital information is being kept from state residents when they need it most.”

KIRO FM Seattle

“the governor's office and five different agencies. show agencies across Olympia. for the long release of critical information in like the Department of Health, transportation, even the Washington State Patrol are all being directed to contact the governor's office first”

KIRO FM Seattle

“records also show staffers are frustrated by running everything through the governor's”

KIRO FM Seattle

“This office where it gets filtered and delayed, they use words like grueling, painful, and a continual barrier to describe the governor's process.”

KIRO FM Seattle

“the governor's communication director says the policy promotes collaboration across agencies and it's going to take time for people to get used to it.”

KIRO FM Seattle

“A new report that alleges Governor Bob Ferguson's office is tightly controlling what information reaches the public and the press. It also claims critical updates are being delayed.”

KIRO FM Seattle

“All that information held back or delayed by the governor's office is what Axios is reporting, which is raising big questions about, number one, transparency, but also whether information is being kept from state residents, right? And journalists as well.”

KIRO FM Seattle

“held back or delayed by the governor's office is what Axios is reporting, which is raising big questions about, number one, transparency, but also whether information is being kept from state residents, right? And journalists as well.”

Unlock the full story

Get a Pro subscription or above to see the live story progression and the full list of independent sources confirming each event as they happen.

Log in to upgrade