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FOI Advocate: The NFOIC News Blog

The NFOIC open government blog is a compendium of original concepts and analysis as well as ideas, edited excerpts and materials from a variety of sources. When the information comes from another source, we will attribute it and provide a link. An up-to-date news source for FOI, FOIA and open government news.

 


FOI News Highlights

Newspaper goes to fed court over reporter’s notes

A Washington newspaper has asked a federal judge to force the Coast Guard to return any documents and copies of records it seized from a reporter while searching her home last summer as part of a gun investigation involving her husband. According to Hudson and court records, Special Agent Miguel Bosch seized Hudson’s records in August while he was at her Maryland home with state police investigators searching for guns and related items owned by her husband, a civilian Coast Guard employee. Continue > >

Google, SpiderOak encrypt best against NSA, report says

Want to know which companies are protecting your data property against interception by spies at the National Security Agency or hackers who might be able to snoop your email on public wireless signals? Google, Dropbox, Sonic.net and SpiderOak are the Web companies that met all five of the communications encryption steps recommended by a newly-released survey from the Electronic Frontier Foundation digital rights advocacy group. Continue > >

Idahoans for Openness in Government objects to closed Twin Falls meetings

Idahoans for Openness in Government filed a complaint against the city of Twin Falls Tuesday, claiming city officials have repeatedly violated the state’s open meeting law. The complaint stems from the city’s use of closed subcommittees. Continue > >

NFOIC's State FOIA Friday

Minnesota high court: Business not subject to open-records laws … N.M. Judge says state can keep audit secret … Wyo. Supreme Court hears arguments in records case involving frack chemical trade secrets … Colorado couple sues town for records in February police shooting … Journalism background expected to serve new asst. attorney general in Washington well … Vanderbilt rape records request denied again, Tennessee … Clinton records trial delayed to Jan. 30, IA … Conservative thinktank wants emails of outspoken UNC law professor … Another View: FOIA fixes would help, Michigan … PA local agencies may have violated law … Sterling cancels mediation hearing in FL public records case … University of Central Florida ignores FOIA request … CT lawmaker scrambles after political consulting revelations … Idaho open government group objects to closed Twin Falls meetings … Continue > >

 

FOI InSight

FOI InSight is a publication from the National Freedom of Information Coalition featuring and aggregating news and analysis about FOI and open government issues, and delivering items of interest to and about our state member organizations, partners and stakeholders.

 

State FOIA Friday Archives

State FOIA Friday highlights state FOI and local open government news items selected from many of interest that we might or might not have drawn attention to earlier that week. NFOIC's State FOIA Friday Archives links to all past editions of State FOIA Friday. We will add to the archive with every new edition.

 

FOIA Events Calendar

This events calendar for FOI, FOIA, open government and transparency goings-on is not definitive, but it could be (nearly). Send us what we've missed and we'll add it. (Date, time, place, description, link — all are helpful). You might want to confirm before making travel arrangements.

 

NFOIC's FOI Summit

The FOI Summit shines a light on the federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and offers an opportunity for NFOIC members and others to get a clear view of disclosure and access laws, state by state. The conference brings together access advocates from all over the country to highlight recent successes and share ideas for combating secrecy in the future.

 

State Sample FOIA Request Letters

Most states’ FOI laws require that public records requests be made in writing. We've assembled sample letter templates for each state that you can use for preparing and submitting your open records request under your state’s public disclosure laws.

 

#OpenGovVideos

#OpenGovVideos is a forum for experts and advocates to share the expertise and experience they have garnered regarding freedom of information, transparency, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), and what's at stake in our fight for a government that is accountable and transparent.

 

Knight FOI Fund Press

The Knight FOI Fund exists to offer financial support in open government lawsuits. It was established to fuel and assist the pursuit of important FOI cases by helping to defray upfront costs such as filing fees, depositions, court costs and other expenses associated with legal actions. Read all about the Knight FOI Fund here.

 

Freedom of Information LISTSERV

FOI-L is a mailing list discussion on the Internet, run out of Syracuse University for NFOIC. Join in the discussion about access to public records, closure of governmental meetings, trends in legislation, and other issues about the public's access to government records and meetings.

 

State Open Government Hall of Fame

Brian Sonntag, who retired earlier this year after serving five terms as the elected State Auditor in Washington state, has been selected for induction into the Heroes of the 50 States: The State Open Government Hall of Fame for 2013.