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Austin American-Statesman, KBTX-TV receive Spirit of FOI Awards

2018-09-24T15:38:02-05:00

For Immediate Release Sept. 21, 2018 Austin American-Statesman, KBTX-TV receive Spirit of FOI Awards for open government reporting AUSTIN - Two Texas news organizations have won the Spirit of FOI Award for reports exposing the secrecy behind Austin’s city manager selection process and the peculiar lack of information following the resignation of the Bryan Independent School District superintendent. The Nancy Monson Spirit of FOI Award, presented by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, highlights journalism that upholds First Amendment principles and promotes or uses open government laws such as the Texas Public Information Act. The awards were presented Friday at [...]

Austin American-Statesman, KBTX-TV receive Spirit of FOI Awards2018-09-24T15:38:02-05:00

FOI Foundation joins media coalition brief on Texas anti-SLAPP law in federal court

2018-09-17T15:03:02-05:00

Reporters Committee and media coalition argue Texas anti-SLAPP law should apply in federal court Evan Popp |  September 12, 2018 A Texas law aimed at making it easier to dismiss meritless lawsuits intended to chill speech should apply in federal court, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and 39 media organizations argued in a friend-of-the-court brief filed last week in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. In the brief filed in Rudkin v. Roger Beasley Imports, Inc., the media coalition urges the federal appeals court to reverse a district court's ruling and hold that the Texas Citizens Participation Act (TCPA) applies in federal [...]

FOI Foundation joins media coalition brief on Texas anti-SLAPP law in federal court2018-09-17T15:03:02-05:00

Show us the money, let us see how tax dollars are spent

2022-03-31T17:08:28-05:00

By Kelley Shannon Executive Director Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas It’s quite simple, really. We Texans have a right to know how our taxpayer dollars are spent. It’s our money. We, the people, choose our government. Our elected public officials represent us. They manage and spend our tax money. But we, the people,get to decide whether they are doing it well. To do that, we need light shining on the workings of our government. But that essential element of our democracy is in jeopardy in Texas. Taxpayers are being denied information about government contracts with private companies and about tax [...]

Show us the money, let us see how tax dollars are spent2022-03-31T17:08:28-05:00

First Amendment attorney Laura Prather to receive James Madison Award

2018-08-27T13:44:03-05:00

Aug. 27, 2018 For Immediate Release AUSTIN – First Amendment attorney Laura Lee Prather, a champion of free speech and government transparency, is the recipient of the 2018 James Madison Award presented by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. The award honors those who demonstrate outstanding commitment to upholding the principles of the First Amendment and open government. Prather will receive the award Sept. 21 at the John Henry Faulk Awards Luncheon during the foundation’s Bernard and Audre Rapoport State Conference in Austin. “Laura is fearless and tireless in championing open government. No one in Texas has done more for [...]

First Amendment attorney Laura Prather to receive James Madison Award2018-08-27T13:44:03-05:00

Editorials defend First Amendment, take issue with the press as ‘enemy of the people’

2018-08-16T20:04:39-05:00

Newspapers across the country are taking issue with President Trump's assertion that journalists are the enemy of the American people. Here are a few editorials and columns appearing in Texas emphasizing the importance of the news media and the First Amendment. Houston Chronicle: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/editorials/article/real-enemy-of-the-people-not-the-press-Trump-13159543.php The Dallas Morning News: https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/editorials/2018/08/15/first-amendment-helps-people-hold-elected-officials-accountable Fort Worth Star-Telegram: https://www.star-telegram.com/opinion/editorials/article216767650.html Austin American-Statesman: https://www.statesman.com/news/opinion/editorial-journalists-are-watchdog-neighbors-not-enemy-the-people/XzgIMMp6QYxURXoxFhazaI/ San Antonio Express-News: https://www.mysanantonio.com/opinion/columnists/josh_brodesky/article/A-free-press-is-vital-to-the-people-not-the-enemy-13147915.php Victoria Advocate: https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/opinion/enemy-of-the-people-don-t-worry-we-have-your/article_3959e268-a09c-11e8-894b-27a62bdf885e.html    

Editorials defend First Amendment, take issue with the press as ‘enemy of the people’2018-08-16T20:04:39-05:00

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    Kelley Shannon, Executive Director
    3001 N. Lamar Blvd., Suite 302
    Austin, Texas 78705

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