PIA

Corpus Christi Caller-Times, Dallas Morning News receive Spirit of FOI Awards

2017-09-14T19:40:42-05:00

For Immediate Release Sept. 14, 2017  AUSTIN _ Two Texas news organizations have won the Spirit of FOI Award for reports exposing problems with the state’s child welfare system and with one city’s police response to domestic violence. The Nancy Monson Spirit of FOI Award, presented by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, highlights journalism that upholds First Amendment principles and promotes or uses open government laws such as the Texas Public Information Act. The awards were presented Thursday at the FOI Foundation’s state conference in Austin. One of the awards went to the Corpus Christi Caller-Times in the Class [...]

Corpus Christi Caller-Times, Dallas Morning News receive Spirit of FOI Awards2017-09-14T19:40:42-05:00

Crosby plant explosion highlights state efforts to block access to chemical information

2017-09-01T22:07:41-05:00

By Emma Platoff and Jim Malewitz The Texas Tribune Originally published Sept. 1, 2017 Residents of Crosby, Texas woke Thursday morning to a 40-foot plume of black smoke darkening their sky. Don’t worry, said both government officials and personnel from Arkema, the owner of the plant emitting the fumes — there’s nothing toxic in your air. Locals had little choice but to take them at their word. That's because in recent years, state leaders have made it increasingly difficult for communities to learn what, exactly, sits inside the chemical plants in their neighborhoods — and just how dangerous it might be. The implications [...]

Crosby plant explosion highlights state efforts to block access to chemical information2017-09-01T22:07:41-05:00

Transparency in government leads to real news

2022-03-31T17:08:34-05:00

By Kelley Shannon Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas Whether depending on our government for storm recovery, good schools, police protection or other important services, openness and access to information are essential to ensuring the job gets done. A free flow of information helps citizens keep watch on their government. It also allows journalists to report on matters of widespread interest by scrutinizing public records and meetings and, just as importantly, asking necessary, tough questions of government officials. In short, transparency leads to real news.  It leads to the truth. Legitimate news organizations uncover what has actually happened – and even [...]

Transparency in government leads to real news2022-03-31T17:08:34-05:00

Texas Tribune Texplainer: What social media information is subject to state open records laws?

2017-08-28T16:04:23-05:00

By Alex Samuels The Texas Tribune Originally published Aug. 25, 2017 Hey, Texplainer: what social media information is subject to state open records laws? Is there anything off limits when it comes to what citizens can request to see? All social media is subject to state freedom of information laws, but whether you get the information you’ve requested depends on whether the communication is considered official business of a governmental body. According to Joe Larsen, counsel for Sedgwick Law in Houston, official business is any matter over which a governmental body has any authority. “It doesn’t really matter what medium it’s [...]

Texas Tribune Texplainer: What social media information is subject to state open records laws?2017-08-28T16:04:23-05:00

Despite evidence, Marlin ISD superintendent says uncertain future of district ‘made up’ news

2017-08-29T22:06:32-05:00

By Shelly Conlon Waco Tribune-Herald Originally published Aug. 24, 2017 Marlin ISD Superintendent Michael Seabolt has publicly accused the Tribune-Herald of fabricating facts about the district’s future, but emails from a Texas Education Agency official state otherwise. In a video interview with the online news outlet Marlin Pride, Seabolt, referring to an article published in the Aug. 17 Tribune-Herald, alleged the newspaper made up the fact that the district’s future remains unclear after the district failed state accountability ratings for the sixth year in a row despite making its most improvements since 2013. But TEA spokeswoman DeEtta Culbertson, who was cited [...]

Despite evidence, Marlin ISD superintendent says uncertain future of district ‘made up’ news2017-08-29T22:06:32-05:00

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