On The Record
Unedited documentation of public officials responding to questions about transparency, public records, and government accountability.
⚖️ Legal Notice
Arkansas is a one-party consent state for recording (Ark. Code Ann. § 5-60-120). All recordings are of public officials in their official capacity in public settings or during public business.
No recordings published yet.
Check back as we document official interactions.
Want to contribute? Submit your recordings.
How to Document Public Officials
Arkansas Recording Laws
- One-party consent: You can record any conversation you are part of without notifying others (Ark. Code Ann. § 5-60-120)
- Public meetings: Open meetings are public record and can be recorded by anyone
- Public officials: Officials conducting public business have no expectation of privacy
- Office visits: You can record interactions in government offices during business hours
Best Practices
- Always identify yourself and state your purpose clearly
- Keep your camera visible - transparency builds trust
- Stay calm and professional, even if officials become defensive
- Ask specific questions about public records, spending, and accountability
- Document date, time, location, and officials present
- Never edit the recording - publish the full, unedited version
Equipment Recommendations
- Smartphone: Most phones record excellent 4K video
- External mic: Rode VideoMic or similar for better audio
- Backup recorder: Small audio recorder as backup
- Tripod/stabilizer: Keeps footage steady and professional
- Extra batteries: Meetings can run long
- Cloud backup: Auto-upload to prevent "lost" footage
Questions to Ask Officials
- "Can you explain this budget line item to taxpayers?"
- "Why was this FOIA request denied/delayed?"
- "Who approved this expenditure and when?"
- "What is your policy on transparency and open records?"
- "Can you provide the documents I requested under FOIA?"
- "Why are these meetings not being recorded for the public?"