At a time when labor data is more important than ever, new changes are in the works for how news organizations can access this information. These changes have pushed one outlet, the Associated Press, to lobby for the first time in recent years.
In January, Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner William Beach announced that credentialed press members would no longer be able to use electronic devices during the "lock-up" period, a 30-minute window before public release during which reporters can view and digest data.
The Associated Press, along with other organizations including Dow Jones & Co., has hired Holland & Knight to lobby on the issue. Holland & Knight has been contesting the change directly with the Department of Labor.
Beach justified the change, writing, "Real-time information from government websites and releases is more accessible to the general public than ever before. However, unlike some media organizations with computer access in the current lock-up, the general public does not have up to 30 minutes before the official release time to digest the data or to take actions that may lag behind transmissions following the lock-up. Further, developments in high-speed algorithmic trading technology now give a notable competitive advantage to market participants who have even a few microseconds head start."
The change was set to go into effect "no sooner" than March 9, but that timeline has been extended with no clear date now on when it will occur.
