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California Supreme Court: Public Officials Cannot Conceal Emails From Public By Sending From Personal Email Accounts

FAC March 3, 2017

The California Supreme Court ruled on March 2 that emails sent from the personal email accounts of government officials are subject to the California Public Records Act — a significant ruling with a far-reaching, positive impact on the public’s right to know. The unanimous ruling shuts off the government’s ability to conceal information from the public simply by putting information about government business into personal email accounts.   The court held that “communications about official

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Amici Briefs Digest, March 2, 2017

FAC March 2, 2017

FAC has joined, or agreed to join, a number of amicus briefs since December 2016. FAC Joined Amicus Briefs Rand v. City of Carson—Amicus brief to the California Supreme Court urging a broader interpretation of the “public interest” component of California’s anti-SLAPP statute.  At least two competing standards have arisen under California law regarding what constitutes  “public interest” — one far too narrow, and the other more broad.  The amicus brief joined by FAC urges

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Former FAC Executive Director Peter Scheer Awarded Society of Professional Journalists Career Achievement Prize

FAC February 21, 2017

Former First Amendment Coalition executive director Peter Scheer has been named the 2017 recipient of the Northern California Society of Professional Journalists’ career achievement award–a signal honor marking his advocacy, over many years, for free speech, a free press and the public’s right to know. Scheer, 65, will accept the Norwin S. Yoffie Award for Career Achievement on March 22 at the annual James Madison Freedom of Information Awards in San Francisco. Scheer led FAC

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A&A: CPR request denied because it wasn’t submitted on letterhead

FAC February 12, 2017

Q: My request request for mugshot demographics data was denied by the California Department of Corrections. I sent specific data parameters for this information along with my name address and telephone number and received a telephone call from someone in the state archives denying my request. I was told the request was denied because it was not submitted on letterhead. I explained that I was requesting the information as a private citizen and did not have letterhead. Can

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A&A: How do I protect rape victims in my reporting?

FAC February 11, 2017

Q: I’ve recently been confronted with how terrible journalistic protocol is around telling the stories of rape and assault survivors. The nature of the crimes committed against them mean that they’re often uncorroborated or unwitnessed and the hostile environment of the internet means that victims who come forward at all are hounded. Is there a way for me to tell the stories of rape and assault survivors and still protect them? Can I out an abuser

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