Georgia law does not mandate that all public records that could be exempt from disclosure be kept private, Reporters Committee argues

On Monday, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and three media organizations submitted a friend-of-the-court brief to the Georgia Supreme Court urging it to reverse a decision by the Court of Appeals that would make it mandatory for state agencies to withhold any record that falls under an exemption to the Georgia Open […]

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Georgia: CRIME Newspaper Publisher Thrown in Jail Over Open Records Fight — Read the Indictment

A rural North Georgia journalist was indicted on a felony charge and jailed overnight last week, all for filing an open-records request.

Mark Thomason, publisher of the Fannin Focus, a local paper, and his attorney Russell Stookey were jailed Friday of last week and charged with identity fraud and attempted identity fraud. Additionally, Thomason was accused of lying in his open-records request. Continue…

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Georgia Portal Gives Residents Free Access To Map-Based Data

To help encourage private-sector innovation and growth, the city of Johns Creek has created an OpenData portal to provide the public with free access to data it uses for maps.

The initiative makes Johns Creek one of the first city governments in Georgia to open its map-based data without restrictions, the city said Monday.  Continue…

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NFOIC’s State FOIA Friday for October 18, 2013

From NFOIC:  A few state FOIA and local open government news items selected from many of interest that we might or might not have drawn attention to earlier in the week. While you're at it, be sure to check out State FOIA Friday Archives.

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Regents sued over Open Records Act

From The Atlanta Journal-Constitution:  A former student journalist at Georgia Perimeter College filed a lawsuit against the State Board of Regents Monday for failing to turn over public records concerning the school’s $25 million budget shortfall.

David Schick accused the University of System of Georgia of not complying with his open records request and for using delaying tactics.

 

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NFOIC’s State FOIA Friday for December 28, 2012

State FOIA Friday News A few state FOIA and local open government news items selected from many of interest that we might or might not have drawn attention to earlier in the week:

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Chatham Commissioner paid for campaign travel, others unaware of policy change they approved

From Savannah Morning News:

Commissioner Helen Stone has refunded $110 after a Savannah Morning News Open Records request revealed she was reimbursed by Chatham County for using her personal vehicle to drive to campaign events — including her own re-election announcement and fundraisers.

Taxpayer funds are prohibited by law from being used for election campaigns.

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NFOIC’s State FOIA Friday for October 5, 2012

A few state FOIA and local open government news items selected from many of interest that we might or might not have drawn attention to earlier in the week:

Advocates fight to keep Georgia archives open to public

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NFOIC’s State FOIA Friday for September 28, 2012

A few state FOIA and local open government news items selected from many of interest that we might or might not have drawn attention to earlier in the week:

Obama cabinet flunks disclosure test with 19 in 20 ignoring law

Not just a state story, obviously, but interesting and important.

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New open records law brings confusion, changes

From Dalton Daily Citizen:

For almost eight years, the Whitfield County Board of Commissioners has assigned liaisons to most county departments to help manage the departments and keep the rest of the board members up to date on county projects. But Board of Commissioners Chairman Mike Babb says changes in the state’s open records law may lead the board to abolish any formal liaisons.

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