About Us
Who We Are
Our Mission
The First Amendment Coalition protects and promotes a free press, freedom of expression, and the people’s right to know. Nonpartisan and nonprofit, FAC believes that the broadest range of engaged and informed communities is essential to the health of our democracy — that the values expressed by the First Amendment provide a blueprint for an inclusive, equitable society and a responsive, accountable government. To that end, FAC educates, advocates, and litigates to advance government transparency and First Amendment protections for all. (Board of Directors, June 2022)
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
FAC recognizes that our mission can only be achieved by actively cultivating diversity, equity and inclusion, both inside and outside the organization. We believe that in order to realize the promise of the values underlying the First Amendment, we must reach and include as broad a range of voices as possible to inform our policies, priorities and programs. We recognize that systemic inequities rooted in, among other things, race and gender require FAC to take the initiative in seeking out and embracing a diversity of perspectives, backgrounds and life experiences. To that end, we commit to actively expanding and diversifying our networks.
We recognize it is our responsibility to allocate our resources in support of and collaboration with institutions, individuals, organizations and coalitions that reflect the diversity of California and the nation, especially those traditionally excluded from power and resources. Fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive community is both a goal in itself and an integral part of carrying out our organizational mission. Read more about this in the summary of our 2021-2026 Strategic Plan.
What We Do
Cases
Cases
Holding governments accountable at the local, state, and federal levels; supporting journalists and citizens in how to enforce their First Amendment rights.
Advocacy
Advocacy
We engage in advocacy around crucial issues affecting government transparency, press rights, and the people’s right to know.
Press Freedom Initiative
Press Freedom Initiative
Ensuring access to qualified legal counsel when journalists face a subpoena seeking confidential sources or other protected materials.
Free Speech & Open Government Awards
Free Speech & Open Government Awards
Honoring the year’s best contributions towards the advancement of open government.
Legal Hotline
The Legal Hotline gives users free access to FAC’s experts for questions about access to public records, public meetings and a range of First Amendment topics.
Asked & Answered
A&A is a searchable database of questions posed by users about their rights under open government laws, and first amendment safeguards that have been answered by FAC’s attorneys.
Handbooks
FAC offers detailed guides on the California Public Records Act, open-meetings laws, and accessing records from law enforcement. These guides offer numerous sample letters for requesting public records in California or from federal agencies. These resources are free for all to use.
Explainers
FAC’s Explainers provides information about topics relating to public records, open meetings, and freedom of speech that we are commonly asked about.
Our Supporters and Strategic Partners
FAC receives funding from private foundations, our board of directors, individuals, and corporations. Additionally, FAC earns attorneys’ fee awards from some of the cases it wins. FAC’s legal team relies on legal services provided pro bono by firms and individual lawyers to meet the ever-growing demand for our services. A complete list of our 2023 supporters is located here.
FAC’s principal benefactors over several decades have been Rowland “Reb” Rebele, media consultant and former newspaper publisher, and his wife, Patricia Rebele. The First Amendment has never had more steadfast and supportive friends than the Rebeles.
FAC receives significant institutional support from the Jonathan Logan Family Foundation, the James B. McClatchy Foundation, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, the Park Foundation, the Hearst Foundations, and the Raymond Pryke Foundation.
Democracy Watchdog Members, both monthly donors and free members, are counted in FAC’s amicus briefs, position letters, and advocacy work, adding the weight of their commitment to our efforts to build a more robust democracy.