First Amendment News

Citizen files Brown Act complaint after denied chance to extend comments at public meeting

During a Scotts Valley City Council meeting, the mayor alleged an opponent of a proposed Target store was veering off the topic and blocked further comment from the man who filed a Brown Act complaint that his right to participate in the meeting was denied. -DB Santa Cruz Sentinel April 25, 2009 By Ramona Turner SCOTTS VALLEY — A dispute at a recent City Council meeting, during which the mayor threatened to call the police,

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Brown Act plays vital role in promoting democracy

An editorial in The Taft Independent in Kern County reminds the readers that open government laws protect the right of citizens to participate in governance. The editorial cited the instance in which the local water board took action on issues not on the agenda. –DB The Taft Independent Editorial April 24, 2009 A few weeks ago, the attorney for the West Kern Water Board made a very public apology for failing to keep the board

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Secrecy provisions cloud proposed California mortgage loan law

A current bill in the California legislature would exempt two types of reports from disclosure under open government laws, specifically those on broker-initiated activity and certain examinations or audits. -DB CalAware April 21, 2009 PUBLIC INFORMATION — Real estate reporters and other watchdogs take note: a bill moving through the Legislature on the regulation of mortgage loan originators calls for two kinds of report that would be exempt from disclosure under the California Public Records

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Court frees South Korean blogger in free speech case

The blogger “Minerva” was ruled not to have maliciously spread false information on economic matters. The South Korean government had tried to convict him of damaging the public’s faith in the government. –DB The New York Times April 21, 2009 By Choe Sang-Hun SEOUL, South Korea — A blogger who criticized and angered the South Korean government but commanded a huge following online was freed from jail on Monday, after a court acquitted him of

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Internet project to track bailout begins operation

To help citizens understand the complex information on the bailout posted on the government website, a coalition of open government and economic policy groups has set up a website with information and expert commentary. -DB Project on Government Oversight April 20, 2009 By Michael Smallberg Even though the Treasury Department recently revamped its website for the Financial Stability Plan, it would probably take an advanced degree in finance to truly understand what the government is

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