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In a controversial move, Wisconsin Governor Mark Johnson signed into law a bill that will restrict public access to court records in the state. The law, officially known as SB 1389, was passed by the Wisconsin State Legislature earlier this month and has sparked criticism from media organizations and civil liberties advocates.Under the new law, court records will no longer be readily available to the public through online databases or in person at courthouses. Instead, individuals seeking access to court records will be required to submit a formal request to the court clerk, who will then decide whether to grant or deny access based on a set of criteria outlined in the legislation.Supporters of the law argue that it will protect the privacy of individuals involved in legal proceedings, particularly in cases involving sensitive personal information such as juvenile or family court matters. Governor Johnson praised the law as a means of "balancing the rights of individuals to privacy with the public's right to access information."However, opponents of the law, including several media organizations and open government advocates, have decried it as a violation of the First Amendment right to access public records. They argue that the law will make it more difficult for journalists, researchers, and members of the public to monitor the judicial system and hold officials accountable.In response to the criticism, Governor Johnson's office released a statement affirming the state's commitment to transparency and promising to work with stakeholders to address concerns about the law's impact on public access to court records.The law is set to go into effect on January 1, 2026. In the meantime, media organizations and civil liberties advocates are expected to challenge the law in court, setting the stage for a potential legal battle over the balance between privacy rights and government transparency in Wisconsin.