Terry Mutchler, the former chief of Pennsylvania’s open records office, says freedom of information laws have the power to effect major change — but only if journalists know how to use them.

Speaking at the PAPME awards banquet Friday night, Mutchler said there is a direct relationship between lack of transparecny and government corruption, especially in Pennsylvania and Illinois, where she previously covered state government.

Afterward, she told young journalists that relying on open records laws can promote the public good as well further their own careers.

Interview by Gabriella Santoliquito. Video by Stephanie Kulikowski.