News release

KXAN, Victoria Advocate receive Spirit of FOI Awards for open government work

2016-09-09T20:11:28-05:00

  AUSTIN _ Two Texas news organizations have won the Spirit of FOI Award for investigations into law enforcement actions based on documents obtained using the Texas Public Information Act. The Nancy Monson Spirit of FOI Award, presented Thursday by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas at its state conference, was awarded to the Victoria Advocate in the Class A market category for an in-depth look at questionable hiring in the local sheriff’s office. NBC affiliate KXAN in Austin won in the Class AA large market category for “Racial Profiling Whitewash,” an investigation exposing how the Texas Department of Public [...]

KXAN, Victoria Advocate receive Spirit of FOI Awards for open government work2016-09-09T20:11:28-05:00

News veteran, journalism educator Wanda Cash to receive James Madison Award

2016-08-16T17:05:17-05:00

AUSTIN – Texas newswoman Wanda Garner Cash, an educator who has led multiple newspapers and long worked for the public’s right to know, is the recipient of the 2016 James Madison Award presented by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. The award honors those who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to upholding the principles of the First Amendment and open government. It will be presented Sept. 8 at the John Henry Faulk Awards Luncheon during the foundation’s Bernard and Audre Rapoport State Conference in Austin. “Wanda Cash has been a leading open government advocate and passionate voice for the First Amendment [...]

News veteran, journalism educator Wanda Cash to receive James Madison Award2016-08-16T17:05:17-05:00

Texas Gavel Award winners announced

2016-07-14T22:15:59-05:00

State Bar of Texas News Release, July 6, 2016 AUSTIN — In-depth stories exploring life under Texas’s sex offender laws, the use of civil asset forfeiture funds, and the mishandling of child-support dollars by an employer are among the winners of the 2016 Texas Gavel Awards. Journalists representing Texas Monthly, Victoria Advocate, KPRC-Houston, KLTV-Tyler, and The Texas Lawbook were selected as winners of 2016 Texas Gavel Awards, which honor journalism that deepens public understanding of the legal system. The State Bar of Texas will honor the winners at an awards luncheon September 8 in Austin in conjunction with the Freedom of Information [...]

Texas Gavel Award winners announced2016-07-14T22:15:59-05:00

Symposium to commemorate Texas’ anti-SLAPP law June 23

2016-06-10T19:05:17-05:00

AUSTIN – The Coalition for Free Speech and Haynes and Boone, LLP, will host a symposium and reception June 23, 2016, to commemorate the fifth anniversary of passage of Texas’ anti-SLAPP statute. Paul Brown, former Capital Tonight Anchor, will moderate a lively discussion with lawmakers, public interest groups from both sides of the aisle, SLAPP victims and others about what the statute has meant for the state of Texas. Panelists are state Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi; Jane Bland, justice for the First Court of Appeals; Bama Brown, iHeart Radio DJ; Terri Burke, ACLU of Texas executive director; and attorney Laura [...]

Symposium to commemorate Texas’ anti-SLAPP law June 232016-06-10T19:05:17-05:00

Open Government Seminar set for McAllen on June 9

2016-05-31T15:42:01-05:00

AUSTIN _ The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas will host an Open Government Seminar in McAllen on Thursday, June 9, featuring training in the state’s public meetings and public records laws. The non-profit FOI Foundation will partner with the Texas Attorney General's Office in offering the one-day seminar. It is designed for government employees, journalists, attorneys and members of the general public who want to learn more about the Texas Public Information Act and Texas Open Meetings Act. “This seminar highlighting Texas’ open government laws helps to inform citizens of their rights and responsibilities as they participate in our democracy,” [...]

Open Government Seminar set for McAllen on June 92016-05-31T15:42:01-05:00
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