NFOIC – Page 180 – National Freedom of Information Coalition

Op-ed: Encouraging transparency in government in 2016

Posted on

Transparency in government is essential to upholding American democracy. When citizens have access to behind-the-scenes information about local and federal administrations, politicians are held accountable. The public is educated and engaged. And our nation is strengthened.

It is popular to pledge honest and open leadership while on the campaign trail, but America does not have the best track record in keeping these promises. In fact, Pew research finds that just five percent of Americans believe the government is doing a good job of sharing key information.

[…]

Obtaining Florida elected officials’ texts can be tricky — and costly

Posted on

Correspondence related to public business by elected officials is public record. All of it. That means "snail mail," faxes and emails.

But muddying the public records law process is perhaps the most popular, quickest and often most creative way people communicate — text messages.

[…]

U.S. Senate passes FOIA reform bill

Posted on

The Senate on Tuesday unanimously passed a bill to expand the public's access to government records, after a year of delay.

The Senate's move means both chambers have now passed similar proposals to strengthen the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Differences will still need to be resolved before the measure makes it to President Obama's desk — potentially forcing the administration's hand on a bill it has previously lobbied against.

[…]

This Sunshine Week, how would you #FixFOIABy50?

Posted on

For those using freedom of information laws in the United States, the race for records is almost always marathon: At the federal level, over the course of 9,166 requests, we've found an average wait time of 140 days — even though the law states records should be returned in just 20.

Most states are better, but not near where they should be: Massachusetts has an average response time of 80 days and California, you'll wait 49 days, even though their respective laws require responses within 10 days.

[…]

NEFAC to host New Hampshire event, publish FOI reports from all New England states

Posted on

New England First Amendment Coalition will be joining open government advocates for the next seven days to celebrate the 11th annual Sunshine Week.

This national campaign is an initiative to promote a dialogue about the importance of transparency and freedom of information. Participants include news media, civic groups, libraries, non-profits, schools and others interested in the public’s right to know.

[…]

As Sunshine Week dawns, more need than ever for transparency

Posted on

Journalists and First Amendment advocates faced discouraging news last week when VICE News reporter Jason Leopold pulled back the curtain on secret attempts to hamstring open records laws in the United States.

Leopold, who's been hailed by The New York Times and others for his skill at prying secrets from the government, disclosed that the Obama administration worked behind the scenes to torpedo a bill that would have sped and streamlined public records requests made under the Freedom of Information Act.

[…]

Open government groups ask Senate to pass FOIA reforms during Sunshine Week

Posted on

More than 40 organizations and individuals committed to government openness and accountability sent a letter thanking Senators Grassley, Leahy and Cornyn for their authorship of the FOIA Improvement Act of 2016 (S.337), and urging the earliest possible passage of the bill.

The FOIA Improvement Act has received overwhelming support on both sides of the aisle and from the openness community, and includes necessary measures to enable public oversight that is critical to ensuring government accountability.

[…]

AP general counsel urges lawmakers to strengthen FOIA

Posted on

Associated Press General Counsel Karen Kaiser today urged lawmakers to enact bipartisan legislation now before the U.S. Senate to strengthen the Freedom of Information Act and make it work better.

In testimony delivered to the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary in Washington, Kaiser detailed the many problems journalists and the public face when seeking access to public documents.

[…]

Reporters eye access to text messages during Sunshine Week

Posted on

When Florida’s public records law was approved 40 some years ago, people were still using typewriters and rotary dial telephones.

If you wanted a public record, you got a piece of paper or maybe lots of pieces of paper. Technology has changed all of that and has presented a challenge for members of the public who want to know what their government officials are up to and local governments that want to avoid violating the law.

[…]

Public’s right to know being eroded, experts warn

Posted on

What was billed as a celebratory kickoff sounded more like the somber briefing of an embattled and encircled force listing off perils of its situation. Such were the warnings given during the League of Women Voters and The News-Press Media Group’s Open Government and You public forum about the “erosion” of the public’s right to information.

[…]

Author: NFOIC

Posts by NFOIC

Op-ed: Encouraging transparency in government in 2016

Obtaining Florida elected officials’ texts can be tricky — and costly

U.S. Senate passes FOIA reform bill

This Sunshine Week, how would you #FixFOIABy50?

NEFAC to host New Hampshire event, publish FOI reports from all New England states

As Sunshine Week dawns, more need than ever for transparency

Open government groups ask Senate to pass FOIA reforms during Sunshine Week

AP general counsel urges lawmakers to strengthen FOIA

Reporters eye access to text messages during Sunshine Week

Public’s right to know being eroded, experts warn