Journalists fatigued by government secrecy are less likely to push for public records, according to a study that earned first place in a national research competition in freedom of information. The study, based on a September survey of 505 U.S. journalists, found that three-quarters have used public records laws, mostly to local and state agencies, […]
Journalism relies on public records, but transparency laws are weakening nationwide, with longer response times, high fees and more frequent rejections. Agencies know that few newsrooms can research and push back on denials, and even fewer can litigate. This blocks both critical local accountability reporting and enterprise investigations, leaving the public in the dark. A […]
The National Freedom of Information Coalition is pleased to announce the Class of 2024 Heroes of the 50 States: The State Open Government Hall of Fame. Randy Evans has dedicated 58 years of his 74-year life to journalism, driven by a commitment to public service and government transparency. His career began at the Bloomfield Democrat, […]
NFOIC and the Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Project at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications announce the 2024 winners of the national FOI research paper competition. […]
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The 2024 FOI Summit will be held all day on Nov. 14 via Zoom. Here are the logistics of how it will work. What platform will the summit be hosted on? The conference is entirely virtual and hosted on the Zoom Events platform. (Note this is a change from previous years.) You can register at this […]
Got research in freedom of information? Consider entering the sixth annual FOI research competition, with MORE cash prizes this year, and for the first time co-sponsored by the National Freedom of Information Coalition and University of Florida Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Project. Submit one-page proposals for double-blind review by May 1, 2024. Authors whose work is accepted will […]
Below are the winning research papers accepted to the fifth annual National Freedom of Information Coalition FOI research competition. They will be presented online Oct. 5, 2023, during the NFOIC virtual summit. In all, 10 one-page proposals were entered and selected through double-blind peer review for final consideration. Five complete papers were submitted for final review, […]
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NFOIC honors the father of the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act and its chief interpreter well over 30 years and a founding member of the Georgia First Amendment Foundation who, as an attorney, is responsible for the most important press freedom cases in Georgia ever. The NFOIC is happy to announce this year’s inductees into […]
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The National Freedom of Information Coalition calls on authorities in Marion, Kansas, to immediately disclose why, and how they justify, the alarming seizure of computers, cellphones and other reporting materials from journalists at the Marion County Record on Friday. Newsgathering is protected by the First Amendment, and federal law prohibits law enforcement from searching and […]
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The board of the National Freedom of Information Coalition mourns the passing of longtime Maine journalist and former NFOIC president Mal Leary, a champion of government transparency in his state and nationally. NFOIC honored Mal with a proclamation upon his retirement in 2021, recognizing his support for freedom-of-information ideals and principles during his remarkable 45-year […]
Read More… from On the passing of former NFOIC board president Mal Leary
