Transparency

Austin American-Statesman, KBTX-TV receive Spirit of FOI Awards

2018-09-24T15:38:02-05:00

For Immediate Release Sept. 21, 2018 Austin American-Statesman, KBTX-TV receive Spirit of FOI Awards for open government reporting AUSTIN - Two Texas news organizations have won the Spirit of FOI Award for reports exposing the secrecy behind Austin’s city manager selection process and the peculiar lack of information following the resignation of the Bryan Independent School District superintendent. 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 Friday at [...]

Austin American-Statesman, KBTX-TV receive Spirit of FOI Awards2018-09-24T15:38:02-05:00

Show us the money, let us see how tax dollars are spent

2022-03-31T17:08:28-05:00

By Kelley Shannon Executive Director Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas It’s quite simple, really. We Texans have a right to know how our taxpayer dollars are spent. It’s our money. We, the people, choose our government. Our elected public officials represent us. They manage and spend our tax money. But we, the people,get to decide whether they are doing it well. To do that, we need light shining on the workings of our government. But that essential element of our democracy is in jeopardy in Texas. Taxpayers are being denied information about government contracts with private companies and about tax [...]

Show us the money, let us see how tax dollars are spent2022-03-31T17:08:28-05:00

First Amendment attorney Laura Prather to receive James Madison Award

2018-08-27T13:44:03-05:00

Aug. 27, 2018 For Immediate Release AUSTIN – First Amendment attorney Laura Lee Prather, a champion of free speech and government transparency, is the recipient of the 2018 James Madison Award presented by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. The award honors those who demonstrate outstanding commitment to upholding the principles of the First Amendment and open government. Prather will receive the award Sept. 21 at the John Henry Faulk Awards Luncheon during the foundation’s Bernard and Audre Rapoport State Conference in Austin. “Laura is fearless and tireless in championing open government. No one in Texas has done more for [...]

First Amendment attorney Laura Prather to receive James Madison Award2018-08-27T13:44:03-05:00

Editorials defend First Amendment, take issue with the press as ‘enemy of the people’

2018-08-16T20:04:39-05:00

Newspapers across the country are taking issue with President Trump's assertion that journalists are the enemy of the American people. Here are a few editorials and columns appearing in Texas emphasizing the importance of the news media and the First Amendment. Houston Chronicle: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/editorials/article/real-enemy-of-the-people-not-the-press-Trump-13159543.php The Dallas Morning News: https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/editorials/2018/08/15/first-amendment-helps-people-hold-elected-officials-accountable Fort Worth Star-Telegram: https://www.star-telegram.com/opinion/editorials/article216767650.html Austin American-Statesman: https://www.statesman.com/news/opinion/editorial-journalists-are-watchdog-neighbors-not-enemy-the-people/XzgIMMp6QYxURXoxFhazaI/ San Antonio Express-News: https://www.mysanantonio.com/opinion/columnists/josh_brodesky/article/A-free-press-is-vital-to-the-people-not-the-enemy-13147915.php Victoria Advocate: https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/opinion/enemy-of-the-people-don-t-worry-we-have-your/article_3959e268-a09c-11e8-894b-27a62bdf885e.html    

Editorials defend First Amendment, take issue with the press as ‘enemy of the people’2018-08-16T20:04:39-05:00

Why everyone should care about government transparency

2018-10-16T22:49:22-05:00

Why Everyone Should Care About Government Transparency By Kathleen Stone Government transparency in the state of Texas is the big issue that no one is talking about. Or that’s how it seems to me, the public relations student who joined the FOI Foundation of Texas as the digital marketing intern roughly two months ago. I came aboard to revamp the Texas Sunshine Coalition website and lay out a new social media plan. Beyond a few journalism classes and a media law class, I really didn’t know that much about the issues surrounding government transparency. After spending some time studying the cases, I’ve [...]

Why everyone should care about government transparency2018-10-16T22:49:22-05:00

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