Symposium to commemorate Texas’ anti-SLAPP law June 23
AUSTIN – The Coalition for Free Speech and Haynes and Boone, LLP, will host a symposium and reception June 23, 2016, to commemorate the fifth anniversary of passage of Texas’ anti-SLAPP statute. Paul Brown, former Capital Tonight Anchor, will moderate a lively discussion with lawmakers, public interest groups from both sides of the aisle, SLAPP victims and others about what the statute has meant for the state of Texas. Panelists [...]
Open Government Seminar set for McAllen on June 9
AUSTIN _ The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas will host an Open Government Seminar in McAllen on Thursday, June 9, featuring training in the state’s public meetings and public records laws. The non-profit FOI Foundation will partner with the Texas Attorney General's Office in offering the one-day seminar. It is designed for government employees, journalists, attorneys and members of the general public who want to learn more about the [...]
FOI Foundation of Texas hosting upcoming Open Government Seminars
AUSTIN _ The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas will host Open Government Seminars in the north Houston area, El Paso and the Rio Grande Valley in May and June featuring training in the state’s public meetings and public records laws. The non-profit FOI Foundation, partnering with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office, will offer one-day seminars designed for government employees, journalists, attorneys and members of the general public who [...]
Call for entries 2016: Spirit of FOI Award
The FOI Foundation of Texas is pleased to announce 2016 guidelines for the Nancy Monson Spirit of FOI Award contest. The contest is open to newspaper, broadcast and online media. The Spirit of FOI Award recognizes outstanding work in promoting open government and the public’s right to know. The deadline for electronic submission of entries is Friday, May 6. Nominations must be for work published or broadcast in calendar year [...]
Journalist entries sought for 2016 Texas Gavel Awards
Entries sought for 2016 Texas Gavel Awards -Annual Awards Recognize Journalistic Excellence in Legal Reporting- AUSTIN — Submissions are sought for the 2016 Texas Gavel Awards, which honor outstanding journalism that fosters public understanding of the legal system. Entries published or broadcast during the 2015 calendar year will be accepted for print, broadcast, and online categories until 5 p.m. April 1. There is no entry fee. Awards will be presented [...]
FOI Foundation to co-sponsor free libel seminar for Texas journalists
The Freedom of Information Foundation is co-hosting a free libel seminar for Texas journalists on Thursday, Oct. 29, featuring a presentation by FOI Foundation board member and First Amendment attorney Laura Prather. The seminar takes place at the Austin American-Statesman from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Other co-sponsors are the American-Statesman, the Texas Press Association and the law firm Haynes and Boone. Click here for more information and to RSVP to [...]
Dallas Morning News, KXAS, Temple Daily Telegram receive Spirit of FOI Awards
For Immediate Release Sept. 17, 201 AUSTIN _ Three Texas news organizations have won the Spirit of FOI Award for their investigations that made use of state and federal open records laws and resulted in revealing, impactful stories. The Nancy Monson Spirit of FOI Award, presented Thursday by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, was given to The Dallas Morning News and NBC affiliate KXAS in the Class AA [...]
LBJ Library Director Updegrove speech, open records discussions featured at conference
AUSTIN _ Texas ethics disclosures and access to university admissions records will highlight debate and discussion at the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas state conference Sept. 17, when open government champions also will be honored. This year’s Bernard and Audre Rapoport Annual State Conference, “Transparency: Talk vs. Practice,” takes place at the Hyatt Regency in Austin. “Our state has a proud history of standing up for open government and [...]
Former Senator Don Adams to receive FOI Foundation’s James Madison Award
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Aug. 4, 2015 AUSTIN – Former Senator Don Adams, who has worked for decades to protect the public’s right to know, is the recipient of the 2015 James Madison Award presented by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. The award goes to those who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to upholding the principles of the First Amendment and open government. It will be presented Sept. 17 during [...]
State Bar announces winners of 2015 Texas Gavel Awards
AUSTIN — The State Bar of Texas has announced the winners of the 2015 Texas Gavel Awards, including in-depth stories exploring a flawed capital murder conviction, alleged racial profiling and a debate over DWI sentencing penalties. Journalists representing the Houston Chronicle, Victoria Advocate, KXAN-TV, Marfa Public Radio and The Intercept have been selected as winners. The Gavel Awards honor journalism that deepens public understanding of the legal system. The State Bar [...]
New Texas laws protect public’s right to know
AUSTIN – Texans will gain access to private university police records and more easily observe public meetings because of action this legislative session, while journalists can continue robust reporting on allegations of wrongdoing. The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas pressed for these and other transparency measures in the 84th Legislature, which concluded Monday. One highlight was passage of Senate Bill 627, allowing journalists to accurately report on wrongdoing accusations [...]
Legislation by Rep. Todd Hunter would strengthen Texas Public Information Act
AUSTIN – Citizens requesting government records would have improved access to public information stored in private electronic accounts under newly filed legislation by Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi. House Bill 1764 amends the Texas Public Information Act to specify that a government officer or employee in possession of public records must hand that information over to the governmental body upon request. The Texas Legislature approved a measure in 2013 clarifying [...]
On the road again: Open Government Seminar headed to Denton
AUSTIN _ The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas is hosting an Open Government Seminar in Denton for residents throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area featuring training in the state’s public meetings and public records laws. The non-profit FOI Foundation, partnering with Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott’s office, will offer the one-day seminar on Tuesday, Dec. 9, in Denton. It is designed for government employees, journalists and any citizens who want [...]
Judge awards attorneys’ fees after TV station won anti-SLAPP lawsuit appeal
A Harris County judge has awarded Houston ABC affiliate KTRK-TV more than $250,000 in attorneys’ fees after the station won an appeal in an anti-SLAPP case, or anti-strategic lawsuit against public participation. Austin-based Partner Laura Prather of Haynes and Boone, LLP, and Of Counsel Catherine Robb represented KTRK in the case. “This matter is a prime example of why the anti-SLAPP statute was created - to protect the freedom of [...]
FOI Foundation partners in ‘The Texas Debates’
DALLAS/FORT WORTH – KERA, the North Texas public television and radio stations, will host Attorney General Greg Abbott and state Sen. Wendy Davis in The Texas Debates: The Race for Governor. The live, one-hour debate is a co-production with NBC 5/KXAS-TV and Telemundo39/KXTX-TV,The Dallas Morning News and Texas Association of Broadcasters. Sponsored by AARP, the program will be broadcast on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2014, at 8:00 p.m. CT on television, radio [...]
First Amendment rights, open government essential to democracy
By Kelley Shannon Executive Director Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas Sept. 4, 2014 Defending the U.S. Constitution is popular these days, when it centers on gun rights, states’ rights or search and seizure protections. As we guard the principles of our nation’s founders, let’s not overlook the all-important First Amendment of the Constitution and its guarantee of free speech and free press, which, along with public access to government [...]
Donnis Baggett to receive FOI Foundation’s James Madison Award at Sept. 12 conference
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sept. 2, 2014 AUSTIN - Donnis Baggett, whose career has spanned more than 40 years in Texas journalism, is the recipient of the 2014 James Madison Award presented by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. The award goes to those who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to upholding the principles of the First Amendment. It will be presented Sept. 12 during the John Henry Faulk Awards Luncheon [...]
Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, Rep. Todd Hunter to speak at FOI conference
AUSTIN _ First Amendment and open government advocates will address court access, social media usage and updates to public records laws when the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas hosts its state conference Sept. 12. This year’s conference, “A Road Map to Open Government,” takes place at the Hilton Austin and includes speakers and attendees from throughout Texas. “It’s an opportunity for Texans who are devoted to open government - [...]
Texas Gavel Award winners announced; recipients to be honored at Sept. 12 FOIFT conference
The State Bar of Texas has announced the winners of the 2014 Texas Gavel Awards honoring journalism that deepens the public's understanding of the legal system. The recipients will receive their awards at a Sept. 12 luncheon as part of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas annual conference at the Hilton Austin. For information on registering for the luncheon and conference, click here. The full State Bar press release, [...]
Temple Daily Telegram, Alvin Sun receive Spirit of FOI Award
CORPUS CHRISTI _ Two Texas newspapers have received the annual Spirit of FOI Award for their extensive work using and examining the state’s open records laws. The Nancy Monson Spirit of FOI Award, presented by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas and the Texas Press Association, was given Saturday to the Temple Daily Telegram among Class AA, or mid-sized newspapers, and to the Alvin Sun among Class A, or [...]