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Government Doesn’t Decide Who Is (and Isn’t) a Journalist

[…] immediately, FAC’s legal director, David Loy, responded. "It seemed like he dropped everything to advocate on my behalf." Loy didn’t buy the DA office’s reasoning. In a letter sent to Price the day after the press conference, Loy described how her office’s actions violated Raguso’s First Amendment rights. "The government doesn’t get to decide […]
- Government Transparency and Accountability
July 3, 2024
Posts

New Book Review Board Is Subject to Brown Act, FAC and ACLU Warn

Update 11/13/2023: The city attorney replied and agreed the book review board meetings are subject to the Brown Act. See the letter here. Today FAC and the ACLU of Southern California warned the Huntington Beach City Council that its newly created "Parent/Guardian Book Review Board" is subject to the Brown Act, despite Mayor Pro […]
- Government Transparency and Accountability
- Public Meetings
November 13, 2023
Handbooks

FOIA: Sample Request Letter
- Government Transparency and Accountability
- Public Records
September 8, 2024
Asked and Answered

Brown Act

Changing Regular Meetings to Special Meetings

[…] void an improper action taken at an illegal meeting. Before filing an action under this section, you are required to first seek to have the agency " cure and correct" the action taken at the improperly held meeting, and then bring the lawsuit if they do not. The requirements are very specific, they have […]

June 14, 2009
Latest News

FAC News Press Release

Introducing Our Police Transparency Guide

[…] M. Brown Act, the Bagley-Keene Act, both governing public meetings in California, and various sample letters, including one for using the federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA letter here). FAC has also published a sample PRA reply letter for use during the coronavirus pandemic, should an agency refuse to comply citing the public health […]
- Government Transparency and Accountability
- Public Records
October 6, 2020
Posts

More than 100 Organizations and Media Companies Call on Congress to Pass the PRESS Act

With more than 100 media companies and press rights organizations, FAC signed a letter sent to Congress urging both the House and Senate to support the Protect Reporters from Exploitative State Spying Act (PRESS Act). The letters note: The PRESS Act, which passed in the House of Representatives on January 18, 2024, would shield […]
- Press Freedom
October 10, 2024
Handbooks

California Public Records Act Primer

[…] Public Records Act. The California Law Revision Commission has this table showing how previous sections of the Public Records Act were renumbered. This is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to constitute legal advice and does not form an attorney-client relationship. Questions or corrections: contact the First Amendment Coalition at FAC@firstamendmentcoalition.org. Last updated July 2023.
- Government Transparency and Accountability
- Public Records
July 8, 2024
Posts

FAC Supports AB 339’s Open Meeting Provisions

FAC stands with a broad coalition of civic organizations backing a measure that would enhance public participation in government meetings in California. Read our joint letters in support of California Assembly Bill 339.

April 1, 2021
Asked and Answered

Brown Act

School Board Trustees meeting with union reps in violation of Brown Act

[…] null and void because it was taken in violation of certain provisions of the Brown Act is that a written demand be sent demanding that the body cure and correct the action. Please note, however, that the Brown Act imposes fairly strict requirements on the enforcement of the Brown Act, including deadlines for taking […]

August 29, 2010
Asked and Answered

CPRA

Access to public records denied during business hours

[…] employees"). If you would like a copy of a particular record, you should make your request in writing to the agency (a sample Public Records Act request letter may be found on this website: Sample CPRA Request Letter. The request must "reasonably describe an identifiable record or records." Gov't Code section 6253(b). You are […]

November 21, 2009