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So far FOIFT has created 767 blog entries.

FOIFT joins transparency, news media groups in court briefs to protect journalists

2022-11-30T20:52:46-06:00

The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas is working with other open government and news media organizations in filing briefs in federal court cases aimed at ensuring newsgathering rights. The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, the Texas Association of Broadcasters and more than two dozen other groups, including FOIFT, are part of an amicus brief filed this month urging a federal appeals court to uphold a lower court's blocking of Texas' restrictive drone photography law. The brief, in a lawsuit brought by the National Press Photographers Association and the Texas Press Association against Texas officials, notes that drone photography [...]

FOIFT joins transparency, news media groups in court briefs to protect journalists2022-11-30T20:52:46-06:00

VIDEOS: FOIFT State Conference 2022

2022-10-06T13:04:20-05:00

The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas state conference Sept. 29, 2022, in Austin featured expert panelists and lively discussions. Watch videos from the conference sessions and luncheon program by clicking the links below. Session 1: The First Amendment and public schools: Today’s challenges https://youtu.be/LRbND_Tu2Ec Session 2: A fresh look at Texas transparency https://youtu.be/8kLRW3b5WrM Luncheon keynote panel: State Rep. Todd Hunter and Sen. Nathan Johnson, moderated by Josh Hinkle of KXAN https://youtu.be/BZ8BYN3tKjA John Henry Faulk Awards Luncheon - James Madison Award recipient Ross Ramsey https://youtu.be/IR08SrhX0Pc John Henry Faulk Awards Luncheon - Spirit of FOI Awards presentation and Ralph Langer scholarship announcement https://youtu.be/L7R1ykvGRTg [...]

VIDEOS: FOIFT State Conference 20222022-10-06T13:04:20-05:00

Scholarship honors Ralph Langer, longtime FOI Foundation president and news executive

2022-11-30T20:59:54-06:00

For Immediate Release Sept. 29, 2022 Scholarship honors Ralph Langer, longtime FOI Foundation president and news executive AUSTIN – The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas announced Thursday the creation of a journalism scholarship honoring Ralph Langer, a guiding light as the foundation became the state’s leading voice on transparency and the First Amendment. The $5,000 scholarship will be awarded in early 2023 to a journalism or photojournalism undergraduate student at a Texas college or university for the 2023-24 academic year. Applications will be accepted beginning in December 2022. Langer, who died in August 2021 at age 84, was editor and [...]

Scholarship honors Ralph Langer, longtime FOI Foundation president and news executive2022-11-30T20:59:54-06:00

KXAN and Corpus Christi Caller-Times win 2022 Spirit of FOI Awards

2022-09-29T14:46:43-05:00

For Immediate Release Sept. 29, 2022 KXAN and Corpus Christi Caller-Times win 2022 Spirit of FOI Awards  AUSTIN – Two Texas news organizations that scrutinized government programs using transparency laws and in-depth analysis have won this year’s Spirit of FOI Awards presented by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. KXAN in Austin and the Corpus Christi Caller-Times were honored Thursday at the FOI Foundation’s state conference in Austin. The Nancy Monson Spirit of FOI Award highlights journalism that upholds First Amendment rights and promotes or uses open government laws. “We congratulate these news organizations for keeping a close watch on [...]

KXAN and Corpus Christi Caller-Times win 2022 Spirit of FOI Awards2022-09-29T14:46:43-05:00

FOI Column: Times of trouble remind us Texas open government laws are here for everyone

2022-09-19T12:21:15-05:00

By Kelley Shannon Across the state, Texans are keeping a closer eye on their government. They’re asking questions and demanding information. There’s a renewed awareness of our transparency laws. Times of trouble can remind us all that the people have a right to know, and Texas certainly has been enduring months of difficulty following the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde. Parents, community residents, journalists and others want details about the Uvalde tragedy to learn exactly how law enforcement responded and how the young man who committed the killings possibly might have been stopped before that day in May. [...]

FOI Column: Times of trouble remind us Texas open government laws are here for everyone2022-09-19T12:21:15-05:00
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