OUR MISSION
Honoring Those Who Fight for Open Government
The FOI Foundation of Texas presents the annual James Madison Award to journalists, elected officials, attorneys and vigilant citizens for distinction in pursuing open government and First Amendment rights. The most recent recipient is Patrick Canty, publisher of the Odessa American, for his leadership in a long-running legal battle over prompt access to public records.
PROTECTING THE PUBLIC’S RIGHT TO KNOW
Since its formation in 1978, the FOI Foundation has helped citizens access government meetings and records while protecting free speech and a free press. Information is essential to participating in our democracy.
GET TO KNOW FOIFT
Appeals court questions Texas’ new school library book rating law
By Alejandro Serrano The Texas Tribune Originally published Nov. 29, 2023 Federal appellate judges Wednesday questioned a new Texas law requiring book sellers to rate the explicitness and relevance of sexual references in materials they sell to schools, though it was not clear if [...]
Some Uvalde families call for DPS sanctions over Washington Post photo release
By Sofi Zeman Uvalde Leader-News Originally published Nov. 16, 2023 Family members of victims killed and wounded in the May 24, 2022, shooting at Robb Elementary filed sanctions against the Texas Department of Public Safety for selectively sharing crime scene images with the Washington [...]
Odessa American public records lawsuit against the city has ended
By Odessa American Originally published Oct. 20, 2023 The Odessa American’s almost four-year battle with the City of Odessa over public records access is over, as the Texas Supreme Court on Friday declined to take up the OA’s appeal of an appellate court decision [...]