News release

Odessa American publisher, veteran journalist Patrick Canty to receive James Madison Award

2022-04-07T15:58:13-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEAug. 26, 2021 AUSTIN – Odessa American publisher Patrick Canty, whose newspaper has waged a lengthy legal battle for access to local public records, will be honored with 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. It will be presented at the foundation’s state conference Sept. 24. Canty’s team of journalists has pressed the city of Odessa for nearly two years to provide public records, such as basic police information, in a timely manner as required by law. [...]

Odessa American publisher, veteran journalist Patrick Canty to receive James Madison Award2022-04-07T15:58:13-05:00

Time to register: FOI Foundation state conference coming up Sept. 24

2022-04-07T16:10:20-05:00

Mark your calendars and register today for the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas state conference, to be held in person on Friday, Sept. 24, at the AT&T Hotel and Conference Center on the University of Texas campus. Registration is also available for live virtual attendance for those who cannot make it in person. COVID-19 safety precautions, such as social distancing and other measures, will be in place. Among the confirmed speakers and panelists are Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush, a candidate for attorney general; state Rep. Joe Moody of El Paso; Eva Ruth Moravec of the Texas Justice Initiative; [...]

Time to register: FOI Foundation state conference coming up Sept. 242022-04-07T16:10:20-05:00

2021 Texas Gavel Award winners announced

2022-05-03T14:43:13-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJuly 6, 2021Contact: Amy StarnesPublic Information Director, State Bar of Texas800-204-2222, ext. 1706, or 512-427-1706 [email protected] AUSTIN—Stories that critically examined the Texas criminal justice system’s treatment of the mentally ill and inmates regarded as innocent are among the winners of the 2021 Texas Gavel Awards.  Journalists representing Texas Monthly, The Texas Tribune, San Antonio Express-News, and Austin’s KXAN-TV were selected as winners of the 2021 awards. The Texas Gavel Awards, hosted by the State Bar of Texas Public Affairs Committee, honor journalism that deepens public understanding of the legal system. An independent panel of out-of-state journalists, editors, and journalism professors [...]

2021 Texas Gavel Award winners announced2022-05-03T14:43:13-05:00

Legislative Update: 2021 session

2022-04-13T14:38:39-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AUSTIN — Texas lawmakers approved two key transparency measures this session to ensure greater access to public records after some governments closed off information during the COVID-19 pandemic.   Gov. Greg Abbott signed both bills in the final days of the legislative session. The laws take effect Sept. 1.  Senate Bill 930 by Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, guarantees the public’s right to know about coronavirus and other communicable disease outbreaks in nursing homes and assisted living centers. Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, co-authored the legislation, and Reps. Mayes Middleton, R-Wallisville, and Toni Rose, D-Dallas, co-sponsored the bill in the House [...]

Legislative Update: 2021 session2022-04-13T14:38:39-05:00

Journalist Karen Blumenthal receives James Madison Award for open records activism

2020-11-10T20:26:22-06:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Nov. 10, 2020 AUSTIN – The late journalist and author Karen Blumenthal, an ardent advocate for the people’s right to know who ensured public access to historic Texas records in the Roe v. Wade case, has been honored with the 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.  Blumenthal spent more than two decades with The Wall Street Journal, including eight years as its Dallas bureau chief, and wrote non-fiction books for young people in the final [...]

Journalist Karen Blumenthal receives James Madison Award for open records activism2020-11-10T20:26:22-06:00

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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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