Defending Free Speech, a Free Press, and the Public's Right to Know
FAC believes engaged and informed communities are essential to the health of our democracy.
News
Latest News-
Advocacy
FAC Opposes Berkeley Plan to Encrypt Police Radio Communications
With a coalition of press organizations, FAC urged the city to continue using public radio channels to transmit non-private information.
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CASES
Press Freedom Prevails in Federal Appeals Court
An appeals court reaffirmed the First Amendment right to report the news in our case challenging Alameda County's sideshow spectator ban.
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EDUCATION
FAC Gives Press Rights and Public Records Sessions at Recent Conferences
This month, FAC’s press education team got the chance to speak about protest coverage and public records with hundreds of student journalists from community colleges across the state.
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BLOG
Your Detailed Guide to Election Day Access
Our new guide helps reporters understand their access rights on and around Election Day.
Legal Hotline
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.
What We Do
Our Work
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 Award
Free Speech & Open Government Award
Honoring the year’s best contributions towards the advancement of open government.
Get email updates
Subscribe to receive news, resources, and event and training invitations from the First Amendment Coalition.
Resources
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Asked & Answered
A searchable database of responses to questions posed by Legal Hotline users about open-government laws and the First Amendment.
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Handbooks
Detailed guides on open meetings and open records, with sample letters for you to customize.
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Training
FAC holds live and virtual events to tackle some of the most pressing free speech, free press and government transparency issues of the day.
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Explainers
Answers to some of the most commonly asked questions to our Legal Hotline.