Request a Training
FAC's Expertise, Customized for You
FAC hosts training sessions for the press and public on a variety of open government and First Amendment topics. Below are examples of sessions we offer, which can be conducted virtually or in person, and feature experts in First Amendment, public access, and newsgathering issues. If you would like to bring FAC to your organization, newsroom, or community, contact us.
Public Records Tutorial
An overview of the California Public Records Act, the state’s primary freedom-of-information law, and tips and tricks for overcoming barriers to information. This session can be customized for journalists, with examples of news coverage ideas and issues unique to newsrooms. Sessions can feature interactive exercise, introduction to resources, and Q&A.
Uncovering Police Misconduct in California
A detailed overview of accessing public records about law enforcement use of force and misconduct in California. This is a supplement to the CPRA tutorial that goes deep into recent law changes that opened up public access to certain categories of records of police personnel and investigatory records. It can be customized for journalists or community members.
Public Meetings Tutorial
An introduction to California’s public meetings laws, the Brown Act and Bagley-Keene Act, with an overview of agenda requirements, closed session, public comment rules, teleconferencing provisions, and rules specific to members of the press. This session can be customized for journalists, with examples of story ideas and interactive exercises.
Press Rights 101
An overview of key newsgathering laws and limits that any California journalist should know. The session covers considerations for recording in public and restricted places, special press access rights in California law that affects newsgathering, and a primer on shielding confidential news sources and notes.
Protest Rights
A presentation on protest rights, with an overview of legal rights and common concerns.
Access Democracy: An Overview (60 mins)
A crash course on California’s government transparency and laws affecting newsgathering. In this session, FAC’s experts will give an introduction to the California Public Records Act, open-meetings laws, press access laws specific to California, and discussion of rights and risks while recording in various settings. This presentation is useful for journalists new to California or new to local government reporting and for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of how to be a government watchdog.
Meet & Greet with FAC Staff (30 minutes)
Get to know members of the FAC legal and advocacy staff to receive an introduction to resources, how FAC works and to discuss potential advocacy, legal or educational collaborations. These information Q&A sessions may be useful for community groups, journalism organizations that do advocacy, educators, newsrooms interested in identifying potential resources. These are not suitable for legal consultations on specific issues (for specific legal questions and referrals, please see our Hotline resource).
General Speaker Request
Want to bring a FAC speaker to your classroom, conference or community? FAC staff are available to give lectures, talks and presentations on topics related to First Amendment, government transparency and newsgathering issues.
Watchdog Workshop
FAC offers an intensive Watchdog Workshop for journalists, as a day-long symposium conducted in person. This is a special event organized with partners by request. Reach out to request a sample agenda.