First Amendment

Legal standards for release of police body camera video

FOIFT2022-06-30T15:53:27-05:00

Editors Note: The Texas body camera statute is contained in the Texas Occupations Code. Section 1701.661 governs public release of body cam footage.) -- By Paul Watler Cell phone videos captured in the street of police use of force involving citizens seem commonplace of late. The videos go viral on social media and dominate ensuing news cycles on television and in print media. But it is not commonplace for the public to see - or news organizations to obtain - official body camera video of the incidents. In fact, current law in most states permits law enforcement to routinely withhold officer body camera footage [...]

Legal standards for release of police body camera videoFOIFT2022-06-30T15:53:27-05:00

FOI Foundation joins media coalition brief on Texas anti-SLAPP law in federal court

FOIFT2018-09-17T15:03:02-05:00

Reporters Committee and media coalition argue Texas anti-SLAPP law should apply in federal court Evan Popp | September 12, 2018 A Texas law aimed at making it easier to dismiss meritless lawsuits intended to chill speech should apply in federal court, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and 39 media organizations argued in a friend-of-the-court brief filed last week in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. In the brief filed in Rudkin v. Roger Beasley Imports, Inc., the media coalition urges the federal appeals court to reverse a district court's ruling and hold that the Texas Citizens Participation Act (TCPA) applies in federal [...]

FOI Foundation joins media coalition brief on Texas anti-SLAPP law in federal courtFOIFT2018-09-17T15:03:02-05:00

First Amendment attorney Laura Prather to receive James Madison Award

FOIFT2018-08-27T13:44:03-05:00

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 AwardFOIFT2018-08-27T13:44:03-05:00

Texas senators examine free speech on college campuses

FOIFT2018-02-01T15:12:28-06:00

By Ralph K.M. Haurwitz Austin American-Statesman Originally published Jan. 31, 2018 SAN MARCOS —Incidents of hecklers shouting down controversial figures on college campuses are anathema to free speech but pose a difficult challenge to overcome, a state Senate panel chairwoman said Wednesday.“No one should be shouted down,” said Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, whose State Affairs Committee held a hearing on campus free speech issues hosted by Texas State University. “We need to put an end to that. But you can’t legislate morality or civility — I get that.” The panel has been charged by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick with recommending “policy [...]

Texas senators examine free speech on college campusesFOIFT2018-02-01T15:12:28-06:00

Join fundraising spree supporting the FOI Foundation’s mission

FOIFT2017-11-27T22:05:32-06:00

This week marks the kickoff of a major fundraising effort by the FOI Foundation of Texas to generate donations supporting our mission of preserving open government and protecting the First Amendment rights of free speech and free press. Most likely, you are interested in this mission if you are on our website, so please join in. You can make a contribution here on our site now, or any time. Or, if you go to the FOI Foundation of Texas page on Facebook and contribute on Tuesday, Nov. 28, using our donate button you'll be part of the "Giving Tuesday" campaign, when [...]

Join fundraising spree supporting the FOI Foundation’s missionFOIFT2017-11-27T22:05:32-06:00

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