When copyright and FOI collide, public access often is denied, law article explains

State and local governments increasingly claim copyright protections to deny public access to records and data, and the tension between intellectual property laws and freedom of information laws raises difficult issues, according to an article by Frank LoMonte, director of the Brechner Center for Freedom of Information, which is a partner of the National Freedom […]

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News Leaders Association honors First Amendment Award winners for advancing Freedom of Information principles

Journalists uncovered decades of New York police disciplinary records, detailed a university’s handling of sexual misconduct claims, and investigated deaths inside detention facilities. Their efforts have been recognized by the News Leaders Association, which announced its 2021 First Amendment Award recipients on May 12, 2021. The awards recognize “the best journalism advancing Freedom of Information […]

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AR: Secrecy on school records extreme

We cringe before every legislative session begins because we know a handful of legislators will propose new laws exempting access to public information.

Such will be the case in January when lawmakers convene for the 91st General Assembly.

Sen. Gary Stubblefield, R-Branch, filed Senate Bill 12 that, if passed, would exempt public schools — ranging from prekindergarten to state-funded universities — from releasing emergency and security records under the state’s Freedom of Information Act.

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ACLU files domestic drones FOIA requests

From The American Civil Liberties Union:

On October 23, 2012, the ACLU filed Freedom of Information Act requests with five federal agencies seeking records related to the federal government’s domestic use of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) – better known as drones – as well as plans for the future rollout of drones in the United States.

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The FOIA requests ask questions including:

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New Mexico celebrates openness in the government

From Rio Grande Sun:

The New Mexico Foundation for Open Government held its annual Dixon lunch Oct. 3 in Albuquerque. The group honored four people who represent what is good in government, journalism, politics and the legal world. Additionally we honored Jim Dines, a recently retired lawyer who spent much of his career fighting for the cause of open government.

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