The National Freedom of Information Coalition joined other transparency-focused nonprofit groups in urging U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland to “breathe life back into” principles of open government and accountability. An April 7, 2021, letter signed by 20 entities asked Garland to issue a memo to all government offices, establishing how to apply the Freedom […]
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Michigan Supreme Court splits on whether records held by university library are public
The Michigan Supreme Court deadlocked April 9, 2021, on whether records possessed by a University of Michigan library are considered public, The Detroit News reported. The 3-3 ruling allows an immigration lawyer to move forward with a public records request for documents donated to the university by an anti-immigration activist. In 2010, Dr. John Tanton […]
Chicago Tribune highlights private citizens using state’s FOIA to reveal information, change laws
An April 2, 2021, Chicago Tribune article by Courtney Kueppers demonstrates how private citizens using the Illinois Freedom of Information Act can “shape public discourse and change laws.” Concerned citizens, journalists, nonprofits, lawyers and gadflies all make regular use of FOIA requests, and information that Illinois residents have obtained through FOIA has helped shape public […]
Wisconsin court says business group cannot block COVID-19 data
A Wisconsin appeals court panel on Monday, April 5, ruled that a business association cannot stop the state health department from releasing data about businesses linked to COVID-19 cases. The state’s Supreme Court still could prevent the release of the records, if it takes the case. The National Freedom of Information Coalition had signed an […]
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Dates, locations set for 2021, 2022 and 2023 FOI Summits
The National Freedom of Information Coalition has scheduled its 2021, 2022 and 2023 FOI Summits. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 FOI Summit will be conducted virtually, Sept. 28-30. More details will come soon, so please keep checking this website and NFOIC’s social media and newsletter. The 2022 FOI Summit is scheduled for Sept. […]
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Deadline draws near for NFOIC’s 2021 Freedom of Information papers
Do you have research in freedom of information that will make a difference? Then submit your proposal to the National Freedom of Information Coalition’s research paper competition for presentation during the 2021 FOI Summit. Top-three papers will earn cash prizes and will be guaranteed publication in the online Journal of Civic Information, published by the […]
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NFOIC signs brief urging release of New Jersey corrections officer’s settlement agreement
The National Freedom of Information Coalition, along with a dozen other organizations, joined a Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press amicus brief in a New Jersey case concerning access to settlement agreements between public employees and public agencies. Libertarians for Transparent Government sought a settlement agreement between a former corrections officer and Cumberland County, […]
Jane Briggs-Bunting, ‘fearless’ journalist and Michigan coalition founder, dies at 70
Jane Briggs-Bunting, a journalist, educator and First Amendment champion who co-founded the Michigan Coalition for Open Government, died Tuesday, March 23 at age 70. “Jane didn’t shy away from fights that needed to be fought,” former student Meg O’Brien told the Detroit Free Press. “She emphasized that journalism wasn’t a popularity contest and trained us […]
NFOIC joins more than 260 organizations in letter urging whistleblower protections
The National Freedom of Information Coalition joined more than 260 organizations in signing a Government Accountability Project letter to government leaders, supporting the strengthening of whistleblower protections. The letter, sent to President Biden and Congressional leaders, calls for restoring bipartisan support for whistleblower rights, to ensure government accountability. Stakeholders signing the letter included a broad […]
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NFOIC aligns with cold case platform Uncovered, to leverage public records in solving mysteries
The National Freedom of Information Coalition is partnering with Uncovered: A Cold Case Platform, an interactive one-stop-shop cold case database that visualizes missing and murdered case information. Co-founders Ashlee Fujawa and Rachel Rosslet created Uncovered to bring together technology, data and the public, in an effort to have a collective impact for the families of […]