INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana has a new public access counselor following criticism about how the agency handles complaints.
Gov. Mike Braun appointed Brittney Long to the position Friday.
Long, an attorney and former magistrate judge, begins her new role Oct. 5. She succeeds Jennifer Ruby, who resigned Tuesday after serving in the position since March 2025.
The public access counselor leads a nonpartisan office that educates government officials and resolves disputes involving the state’s Open Door Law and Access to Public Records Act. Braun said Long’s legal background and passion for service make her an ideal fit to bring transparency and accountability to the state.
The appointment comes as several media groups recently threatened to sue the office. The organizations argued the agency’s failure to address complaints undermined the public’s ability to hold government officials accountable. In a letter to the state, the groups called the office a “black hole” where complaints disappeared indefinitely.
Dave Arland, executive director of the Indiana Broadcasters Association, said the counselor provides a vital service by ensuring all levels of government—from small town councils to the state legislature—follow transparency laws. Arland said the role is critical when government bodies make decisions behind closed doors or withhold records that should be available to the public.
Long most recently served as deputy general counsel for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. She previously served as a magistrate judge for the Bartholomew County Circuit Court from 2022 to 2026.
