What we do
The Iowa Capitol Press Association exists to promote and support robust coverage of Iowa state government for the benefit of the public, and to advocate for policies that encourage transparency, access, and for conditions in which press corps members can conduct their work safely and effectively.
Who we are
The Iowa Capitol Press Association's members include journalists employed by more than a dozen print, radio, television, and online media outlets who cover Iowa state government, including the Iowa Legislature, the governor's office and state government agencies.
Officers
President: Erin Murphy
Vice President: Kathie Obradovich
Secretary: Katarina Sostaric
Recent News
April 14, 2023
ICPA President Murphy issues statement regarding Iowa Supreme Court ruling on open records case
A statement from Iowa Capitol Press Association President Erin Murphy regarding this morning's Iowa Supreme Court ruling on open records requests:
“Today’s ruling from the Iowa Supreme Court is an important one for transparency and accountability in Iowa government, and is a victory for all Iowans. The Court’s ruling affirms the state law that declares government officials must respond to requests for certain records in a timely fashion. As the Court says, condoning an unlimited delay in government response would hamper the free and open examination of public records. The Iowa Capitol Press Association is pleased with the Court’s ruling as we continue to advocate for policies that encourage transparency and access to Iowans’ government.”
(Note: ICPA Vice President Kathie Obradovich, whose news organization was one of the plaintiffs in the case, recused herself from the process and was not involved in the publication of this statement.)
January 3, 2023
Legislative preview forum canceled; ICPA expresses concern with statehouse leaders' declining availability
The 2023 edition of the Iowa Capitol Press Association’s annual legislative preview forum has been canceled after Gov. Kim Reynolds, Republican Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver and Republican House Speaker Pat Grassley declined an invitation to the event, breaking with more than two decades of tradition.
The Iowa Capitol Press Association is very disappointed with this decision by Republican statehouse leaders, a decision that continues an unsettling trend of reduced availability to Iowa journalists. The ICPA continues to believe elected officials who craft state laws and operate state government should be accessible to the journalists who monitor that work on behalf of all Iowans.
The ICPA hopes to resume the forum – which has been held annually for more than 20 years, previously by the Associated Press – next year or at another time in another form.