First Amendment

Seize the Moment: At 50-year mark, celebrate and strengthen the Public Information Act

2023-09-20T15:00:50-05:00

 By Kelley Shannon With trust in government waning, a Texas law can help keep a closer watch on public officials. Even citizens who continue to have faith in government can use this law to stay better informed. How is taxpayer money spent? What’s happening behind the scenes as government decisions are made? The Texas Public Information Act produces answers to these crucial questions. The act has been here for us for 50 years and is essential in protecting our right to know. Like a well-built old house, the landmark law is constantly in need of upkeep, yet it withstands the test [...]

Seize the Moment: At 50-year mark, celebrate and strengthen the Public Information Act2023-09-20T15:00:50-05:00

Courthouse News Service editor Bill Girdner to receive James Madison Award

2023-09-08T10:12:45-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sept. 8, 2023 Courthouse News Service editor Bill Girdner to receive James Madison Award AUSTIN – Bill Girdner, the editor of Courthouse News Service who has worked to require timely news media access to court filings in Texas and across the nation, will receive the prestigious James Madison Award. The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas bestows the award on those who demonstrate outstanding commitment to the principles of the First Amendment and open government. The foundation will present the award to Girdner at its state conference Sept. 28 in Austin during the John Henry Faulk Awards Luncheon. [...]

Courthouse News Service editor Bill Girdner to receive James Madison Award2023-09-08T10:12:45-05:00

Protect free speech: Don’t mess with Texas’ anti-SLAPP law

2023-04-24T12:15:24-05:00

Protect free speech: Don't mess with Texas' anti-SLAPP law Guest Column By Will Creeley Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression When it comes to criticizing the powerful or politically connected, the First Amendment protects the little guy. No matter who you are or how much money you have in the bank, you have the right to speak your mind. Because the Founders knew all too well the danger of granting the government the power to decide who can and cannot speak, the First Amendment was designed to shield speakers from government retribution. But these days, the government isn’t the only Goliath, and [...]

Protect free speech: Don’t mess with Texas’ anti-SLAPP law2023-04-24T12:15:24-05:00

Waco judge vacates news media portion of gag order for retrial of ex-daycare owner

2023-01-12T10:16:54-06:00

By Tommy Witherspoon KWTX Originally published Jan. 11, 2023 WACO, Texas - A Waco judge on Wednesday vacated a far-reaching gag order in the Marian Fraser murder case after KWTX attorneys convinced him that his attempt to restrict media coverage of her upcoming retrial is unconstitutional. Judge David Hodges, citing a “clear and present danger” that pretrial publicity surrounding the case could adversely affect the jury selection process, filed an order on Monday prohibiting media outlets from reporting any information related to testimony from the previous trial, the fact the case was reversed and the reason for the reversal. His order also [...]

Waco judge vacates news media portion of gag order for retrial of ex-daycare owner2023-01-12T10:16:54-06:00

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

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  • Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas
    Kelley Shannon, Executive Director
    3001 N. Lamar Blvd., Suite 302
    Austin, Texas 78705

  • (512) 377-1575

  • [email protected]

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