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Ralph Langer and Joel White scholarship recipients announced for 2024-25

For Immediate Release AUSTIN – Journalism student Christine Vo of the University of Texas at Arlington has been selected as the recipient of the 2024 Ralph Langer Scholarship by the nonprofit Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. Vo, an award-winning photojournalist and multimedia editor, has worked for The Shorthorn student newspaper at UT-Arlington, capturing the Texas Rangers’ World Series victory parade, Pride events, Palestine protests and other breaking news. Vo will receive a $6,000 scholarship for the 2024-25 academic year. The FOI Foundation’s scholarship committee is presenting an additional $1,500 Langer Scholarship to Christian DeBrady of the University of Texas at [...]

Ralph Langer and Joel White scholarship recipients announced for 2024-252024-04-30T11:03:34-05:00

FOI Foundation denounces arrest of TV news photographer covering protest at UT-Austin

April 25, 2024 Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas statement on arrest of FOX 7 TV journalist at UT-Austin protest: The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas strongly denounces the arrest of a FOX 7 news photographer who was covering a pro-Palestinian protest at the University of Texas at Austin. Law enforcement officers arrested the journalist and charged him with criminal trespass along with more than 50 protestors on campus Wednesday. The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, which stands up for the First Amendment rights of free speech and free press, calls on law enforcement to respect those rights. That [...]

FOI Foundation denounces arrest of TV news photographer covering protest at UT-Austin2024-04-25T15:32:30-05:00

Goodby, scanner. Austin police, fire, EMS will no longer make radios available to the public

By Skye Seipp Austin American-Statesman Originally published April 18, 2024 Public safety agencies in Austin — police, fire and EMS — will soon go radio silent to the public once they transition to an encrypted radio system. This means that the current publicly available scanner information, wherein citizens can listen to police being dispatched to a call in real time, will no longer be accessible starting April 22. Read the full story here.

Goodby, scanner. Austin police, fire, EMS will no longer make radios available to the public2024-04-18T12:22:07-05:00

KTRK: How open records law helps shine a light on government

By Keven Ozebek and Sarah Rafique KTRK, ABC 13 Originally published March 11, 2024 HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Whether it's investigating controversial decisions by local governments or digging into how those agencies spend taxpayer money, 13 Investigates relies on open records laws to get copies of internal documents, datasets and even emails and text messages between government officials all so we can hold our leaders accountable. ... Under the Texas Public Information Act, anyone can request information from a government agency and by law should receive a response from them within 10 business days. The response can range anywhere from the [...]

KTRK: How open records law helps shine a light on government2024-04-03T09:39:08-05:00

Sunshine Week Column: Taking a stand against public information blackouts

By Kelley Shannon Executive Director Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas Shining light on our government through public information helps us ask questions of elected officials – and hold them accountable. Sunshine Week, taking place March 10-16, recognizes the importance of open government and educates Americans about their right to public information. It’s not an abstract notion. It’s about what’s happening in the real world. You may be checking on the safety of roads and bridges in your community. Or wanting to know how your school board is spending taxpayer money. Perhaps there’s concern about pollution or water quality in your [...]

Sunshine Week Column: Taking a stand against public information blackouts2024-03-11T10:16:29-05:00

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