First Amendment

Keep Texas information laws working as intended; learn more at Sept. 13 FOIFT conference

FOIFT2024-09-08T15:18:26-05:00

Register today for the Sept. 13 FOIFT conference. FOI Column: Keep information laws working as intended to help all Texans By Kelley Shannon When it’s time to take a hard look at our public officials and decide which ones to re-elect – or reject – we need information. A major source of that information is the government itself. Access to public records and meetings is essential for us to know the facts and speak out about how government is run, during election season or any time. Among the tools at our disposal are the Texas Public Information Act, the Texas Open [...]

Keep Texas information laws working as intended; learn more at Sept. 13 FOIFT conferenceFOIFT2024-09-08T15:18:26-05:00

SMU’s First Amendment Clinic to receive James Madison Award

FOIFT2024-08-20T11:05:38-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Aug. 20, 2024 SMU Dedman School of Law’s First Amendment Clinic to receive James Madison Award AUSTIN – The First Amendment Clinic at the SMU Dedman School of Law will receive the prestigious James Madison Award for its work protecting the constitutional rights of free speech and free press. The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas bestows the award for outstanding commitment to the principles of the First Amendment and open government. The foundation will present the 2024 award at its state conference Sept. 13 in Austin. SMU’s First Amendment Clinic focuses on First Amendment issues including freedom [...]

SMU’s First Amendment Clinic to receive James Madison AwardFOIFT2024-08-20T11:05:38-05:00

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

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