News release

Davis, other Texas lawmakers to address annual FOIFT conference

2013-09-19T16:47:21-05:00

Sen. Wendy Davis, vice-chair of the Senate Open Government Committee, will be the luncheon keynote speaker at the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas annual conference Aug. 9. Davis, D-Fort Worth, proposed a package of transparency bills during this year’s regular legislative session related to the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. Another of her open government bills ultimately included important updates to the Texas Public Information Act. For his open government and First Amendment efforts, Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, will be honored at the FOIFT conference luncheon with the inaugural Open Government Lawmaker of the Year Award. Hunter, [...]

Davis, other Texas lawmakers to address annual FOIFT conference2013-09-19T16:47:21-05:00

Dallas, Corpus Christi newspapers win Spirit of FOI Award

2013-09-30T18:21:17-05:00

HOUSTON _ Two Texas newspapers have been honored with the prestigious Nancy Monson Spirit of FOI Award for their in-depth reporting that promoted freedom of information and open government. Presented by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas and the Texas Press Association, the annual award was given Saturday to The Dallas Morning News in Class AAA and the Corpus Christi Caller-Times in Class AA. The Dallas Morning News won recognition for its work by reporters Reese Dunklin and Sue Goetinck Ambrose uncovering the lavish spending of Dr. Kern Wildenthal, who served as president of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical [...]

Dallas, Corpus Christi newspapers win Spirit of FOI Award2013-09-30T18:21:17-05:00

Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas praises open government advances

2013-08-18T16:48:15-05:00

AUSTIN _ Texans will gain greater access to the records and actions of their public officials under several measures supported by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas (FOIFT) and approved in the 83rd Legislature. FOIFT board members from across the state testified in favor of these leading open government proposals and First Amendment protections that won House and Senate passage, and now head to Gov. Rick Perry. “This is a tremendous step forward,” said Laura Prather, a First Amendment attorney with Haynes and Boone. “We applaud the lawmakers who worked so hard to pass these bills. The people of Texas [...]

Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas praises open government advances2013-08-18T16:48:15-05:00

FOIFT names new Executive Director

2013-08-15T23:51:11-05:00

AUSTIN — Kelley Shannon, a longtime Texas journalist, has been named executive director of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. Dale Leach, president of the foundation board of directors, said Shannon would begin her new duties Wednesday. She replaces Keith Elkins, who resigned in January to accept a position with an Austin television station. Shannon’s journalism career includes more than 20 years as a correspondent with The Associated Press, as well as reporting assignments for The Dallas Morning News, the Savannah (Ga.) News-Press and the Palestine Herald-Press. She also has done extensive freelance reporting and has been an adjunct journalism [...]

FOIFT names new Executive Director2013-08-15T23:51:11-05:00

Call for Entries | 2013 Nancy Monson Spirit of FOI Award

2013-08-18T19:32:14-05:00

Submit your 2013 Spirit of FOI Award nominations Monday, April 8, is the deadline for electronic submission of entries for the 2013 Nancy Monson Spirit of FOI Award, which this year for the first time will recognize work in three divisions. Sponsored by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas and the Texas Press Association and named after FOIFT’s former executive director, the award recognizes journalists and/or newspapers for outstanding efforts that uphold First Amendment principles, increase public access to government and improve awareness of state open government statutes. FOIFT is one of the leading education and advocacy non-profit organizations in [...]

Call for Entries | 2013 Nancy Monson Spirit of FOI Award2013-08-18T19:32:14-05:00

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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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