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Coalition News

Legislature approves FAC-sponsored bill on cell phone privacy. Will Brown sign it?

Peter Scheer September 2, 2011

SB 914, a FAC-sponsored bill to prohibit warrantless searches of cell phones during an arrest, has been approved by the California Legislature. The legislation now goes to the Governor’s office, where, because of opposition by law enforcement, its fate is uncertain. The Senate yesterday approved the bill, which was introduced by Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), by a bipartisan 31-4 vote. It was approved by the Assembly in August. Police ordinarily have authority, following an

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Raymond Pryke donates $125,000 to FAC legal initiatives

FAC September 1, 2011

The First Amendment Coalition is pleased to announce that it has received major gifts from veteran newspaper owner and publisher Raymond Pryke. The contributions totaling $125,000 will fund FAC’s litigation project, Hotline service and other legal initiatives. “Raymond Pryke’s generosity is a huge boost to free speech and the public’s right to know,” said Peter Scheer, FAC’s executive director. “Raymond is uniquely committed to defending these rights, and we are extremely grateful to him.” Pryke

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Have a legal question on FOI issues? Ask us. FREE!

FAC August 5, 2011

The First Amendment Coalition offers an incredibly useful and FREE legal consultation service. FAC’s Legal Hotline, available on our website, is staffed by top media lawyers who will answer your questions about freedom-of-information, open-meeting laws, First Amendment protections for journalists, bloggers and ordinary citizens, and other open-government issues. I’m writing because FAC wants you to use this completely FREE service. FAC is a nonprofit. Our Legal Hotline service is made possible by grants from the

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New ruling in FAC case opens door to release of state bar records needed for affirmative action research

FAC June 10, 2011

In an important decision on freedom of information, a California appeals court today ruled that State Bar records about the race and ethnicity of Bar applicants are subject to a “common law” right of public access which, following further proceedings, could result in their disclosure–stripped of all names and identifying information–for academic research into the effects of affirmative action policies. The decision, in a lawsuit filed by UCLA Professor Richard Sander and the First Amendment

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FAC and Sac Bee, in major court victory, gain access to pension payments, by name, to county retirees

Peter Scheer May 12, 2011

A California appeals court ruled May 11 in favor of FAC and the Sacramento Bee in a case involving public access to information about government pensions. The third district Court of Appeal ruled that the California Public Records Act requires county governments–in this instance, Sacramento–to disclose, by employee name, pension amounts paid to retired county employees. Both the Sacramento Bee and FAC sued the county after being denied the pension information.  San Francisco attorney Karl

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