The National Freedom of Information Coalition, a national 501(c)3 nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, surveyed and questioned its state and local affiliates in the Winter and Spring of 2021 to obtain each affiliate’s top policy priorities and top perceived threats to transparency. The NFOIC released some results of its online survey in its “States of Denial” report, […]
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Letter, signed by NFOIC, supports bill that would create repository of reports to Congress
The National Freedom of Information Coalition joined 30 other organizations in a letter supporting the Access to Congressionally Mandated Reports Act, urging the House of Representatives to pass the legislation. The act would create a central repository of agency reports submitted to Congress and track whether agencies submit required reports. Read the letter […]
In spite of law, Maine police conceal officer discipline records, newspapers report
In Maine, police officer discipline records are public documents. But law enforcement agencies often evade transparency. That’s according to a joint investigation by the Bangor Daily News and Portland Press Herald, with funding from the Pulitzer Center. Among the findings: It was impossible to tell from available records why most of the 19 state police […]
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Florida clamps down on COVID-19 records, taking a ‘so sue me’ attitude, transparency advocates say
Records requesters seeking information about COVID-19 in Florida face long delays and large fees. “But perhaps more worrisome, we’re often hearing that some agencies will stonewall, fail to respond, and provide nothing, for months,” said Pam Marsh, president of the First Amendment Foundation of Florida. “It’s basically a ‘so sue me’ kind of attitude, daring […]
Public should have insight into hiring of university president, says brief signed by Colorado coalition and NFOIC
A Colorado Court of Appeals ruling set a “dangerous precedent” when it sided with the University of Colorado’s decision to withhold the names and applications of all six candidates interviewed for the job of university president. That’s according to a brief filed by the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition and signed by the National Freedom […]
Reinvent Albany, NFOIC, others urge full transparency regarding COVID-19 in New York
Several organizations, including the National Freedom of Information Coalition and NFOIC member Reinvent Albany, in March wrote a letter urging New York leaders to provide full transparency about the COVID-19 emergency and the state’s response. “We are fully aware that the state’s response to the COVID-19 emergency has become controversial, and we are not calling […]
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California coalition sues sheriff’s office for repeatedly failing to provide misconduct, use-of-force information
The California-based First Amendment Coalition has sued the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office for failing to provide information about deputy misconduct and use of force. The sheriff’s office responded to records requests with unjustified delays and denials, according to the lawsuit. “Unfortunately, the public has largely been left in the dark about the Ventura County Sheriff’s […]
California coalition sues county for access to COVID-19 data
The California-based First Amendment Coalition has sued a county in the state for violating California’s Public Records Act. Ventura County officials have refused to disclose information about COVID-19 deaths and about outbreaks at businesses and other non-residential settings. “It’s troubling that government officials would so blatantly disregard their transparency obligations at a time when people […]
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Arizona coalition files motion urging court to keep recount methods open to the public
The Arizona First Amendment Coalition filed a motion Monday, April 26, 2021, opposing a contractor’s request to keep secret its methods of recounting ballots in the metro Phoenix area. The contractor, Florida-based Cyber Ninjas, was hired by Arizona’s state Senate to oversee the recount of 2.1 million ballots. A judge plans to review Cyber Ninjas’ […]
Letter, signed by NFOIC, urges attorney grievance committee to make Giuliani’s disciplinary proceedings public
The public should have access to all records related to disciplinary proceedings pending against Rudy Giuliani, given the substantial public interest in Giuliani’s role in challenging the outcome of the 2020 presidential election. So says a letter written by the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. The National Freedom of Information Coalition and 31 […]