First Amendment

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

FOIFT2024-04-25T15:32:30-05:00

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-AustinFOIFT2024-04-25T15:32:30-05:00

Sunshine Week Column: Taking a stand against public information blackouts

FOIFT2024-03-11T10:16:29-05:00

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 blackoutsFOIFT2024-03-11T10:16:29-05:00

Student journalists at St. Edward’s barred from reporting on student government meeting about Pride flag

FOIFT2024-02-27T15:39:20-06:00

By Lily Kepner Austin American-Statesman Originally published Feb. 27, 2024 An LGBTQ+ pride flag had hung from the ceiling of a buzzing coffeehouse on St. Edward's University's campus in South Austin since 2018. This year, after remodeling and a vendor change at the cafe, the flag was taken down, and students' attempts to bring it back have not succeeded. ... At the Student Government Association's Senate meeting Wednesday, during which President Montserrat Fuentes and Vice President for Student Affairs and Administration Lisa Kirkpatrick addressed concerns about the flag's removal, administrators barred journalists from Hilltop Views, the student newspaper, from reporting on [...]

Student journalists at St. Edward’s barred from reporting on student government meeting about Pride flagFOIFT2024-02-27T15:39:20-06:00

Every American has the right to ask questions. Including La Gordiloca.

FOIFT2024-02-06T13:18:42-06:00

By Arif Panju Guest Column Houston Chronicle Originally published Feb. 2, 2024 The First Amendment protects the right to criticize public officials without fear of imprisonment. Freedom of speech and freedom of the press would be meaningless if people could express only opinions favored by the authorities. This is what citizen journalist Priscilla Villarreal thought. But on Jan. 23, 2024, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals split 9-7 against her in her First Amendment retaliation case against the Laredo police and prosecutors who arrested her. Her alleged crime? Asking a police officer questions to corroborate the details of a traffic [...]

Every American has the right to ask questions. Including La Gordiloca.FOIFT2024-02-06T13:18:42-06:00

Appeals court questions Texas’ new school library book rating law

FOIFT2023-11-30T16:28:06-06:00

By Alejandro Serrano The Texas Tribune Originally published Nov. 29, 2023 Federal appellate judges Wednesday questioned a new Texas law requiring book sellers to rate the explicitness and relevance of sexual references in materials they sell to schools, though it was not clear if the court would allow the regulations to stand. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals judges’ inquiries centered on House Bill 900’s definitions of sexual content and community standards. They came during a hearing in a legal challenge brought by book vendors who argue the law is unconstitutionally broad and vague. The law seeks to keep so-called [...]

Appeals court questions Texas’ new school library book rating lawFOIFT2023-11-30T16:28:06-06:00

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