First Amendment Coalition
First Amendment Coalition
Defending Free Speech & The Public's Right To Know
OUR MISSION
FAC protects and promotes a free press, freedom of expression and the people's right to know.
BECOME A MEMBER
We're proud to offer a free membership to those who want to join our fight.
Have a question about access to public records, participating in government meetings or First Amendment concerns? We have a dedicated group of lawyers ready to help.
LATEST NEWS
The Right to Know: A Guide to Public Access and Media Law
FAC Urges Mendocino County to Adhere to First Amendment Protections in Establishing Media Program for PRA Requests
The letter follows Mendocino County’s passage of an ordinance imposing high fees on public records requesters.
FAC Calls on California City to End Unconstitutional Public Comment Policy
FAC told the Cypress City Council how a local ordinance restricting comment at council meetings violates freedom of speech.
Your Right to Record at the Border
A special message on landmark legal settlement affirming your right to film federal officials in public areas at land ports of entry The right to
WHAT WE DO
FAC’s greatest asset is our 30 year legal record of holding governments accountable at the local, state, and federal levels, supporting journalists and citizens in how to enforce their First Amendment rights.
FAC regularly holds public forums that bring lawyers, journalists and citizens together from coast to coast to advance the discussion on government transparency, free speech and citizen engagement.
Every year FAC recognizes outstanding accomplishment, service or other contributions to the advancement of free expression or the people’s right to know about their government.
We engage in oversight of the legislative process, focusing on California bills that affect the public’s access to information, meetings or other government proceedings. FAC also weighs in on bills that threaten core First Amendment rights.
WHAT WE OFFER
The Legal Hotline gives users quick, free access to FAC’s lawyers for questions about access to public records, meetings and the courts and your rights under the First Amendment.
A&A is a searchable database of questions posed by users like you about their rights under open government laws and first amendment safeguards that have been answered by FAC’s attorneys.
FAC’s resources for using California (CPRA) and federal (FOIA) laws to obtain public records, including FAC’s CPRA Primer; a Police Transparency Guide; and a template for CPRA request letter.
Resources for California’s open-meetings law, including our Brown Act Primer on how the law works; the text of the Ralph M. Brown Act; and a sample Cure & Correct demand letter.
FAC defends press freedom by ensuring journalists in need receive pro bono legal defense in the event they are subject to subpoena or other legal threat seeking their confidential sources or unpublished materials.