Search Results

Showing 511 - 520 of 1793 results

Handbooks

FOIA: Sample Request Letter

[…] the requested information to me is in the public interest because it is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations or activities of the government and is not primarily in my commercial interest. [Include specific details, including how the requested information will be disseminated by the requester for public benefit.] [Optional] […]
- Government Transparency and Accountability
September 8, 2024
Posts

FAC Condemns Sacramento Police Department’s Flawed Media Policy
- Press Freedom
July 23, 2020
Posts

Court Access

FAC to California Judiciary: End Court Secrecy Now

[…] public. Today’s letter is a part of these efforts, and was made possible by support from FAC’s supporters. In addition to open-court advocacy, FAC has worked to combat government secrecy throughout the public-health emergency, speaking out against efforts to weaken freedom-of-information laws, publishing new tools to help the public and press obtain records, and holding […]
- Government Transparency and Accountability
June 15, 2020
Posts

Shasta News Outlets, FAC, and ACLU Demand Shasta County Repeal Unlawful Public Records Act Fee Ordinance

[…] an ordinance that imposes unlawful fees for public records that can run into the thousands of dollars and threaten the public’s fundamental right to open and accountable government. In a letter sent today, lawyers for FAC and the ACLU told members of the Shasta County Board of Supervisors that their organizations, joined by the […]
- Government Transparency and Accountability
September 20, 2023
Posts

Our California Legislative Priorities Focus on Police Transparency and Press Protections

The First Amendment Coalition's priorities for the 2021 California legislative session focus on advancing police transparency, strengthening press and protester protections, and opposing government secrecy in all forms. Read our position letters to see where we stand on bills we are monitoring: FAC supports these bills AB 339: Enhances public access to meetings AB […]
- Government Transparency and Accountability
- Press Freedom
April 6, 2021
Posts

FAC, ACLU, Fresnoland Demand Fresno City Council Stop Secret Budget Negotiations

[…] council’s budget committee has repeatedly met behind closed doors to finalize the budget in clear violation of the Brown Act, which guarantees the fundamental right to open government. According to Fresnoland, as the fifth largest city in California by population, Fresno stands alone in the top 10 by holding secret budget committee meetings. Although […]
- Government Transparency and Accountability
September 6, 2023
Posts

First Amendment

FAC Urges Immediate Dismissal of Charges Against Victorville City Council Member Arrested During Meeting

[…] explaining why the removal and arrest raise serious concerns under the First Amendment and Brown Act, which guarantee rights to freedom of speech and civic participation in local government. As the letter says, abuse of the power to remove and arrest an elected official or community member "threatens the fabric of democracy and open government."
- Government Transparency and Accountability
February 24, 2023
Posts

FAC Opposes Legislation that Would Weaken Police Transparency

[…] the administration’s choice to use a secretive budget process to try to gut important police transparency protections. "Openness, transparency and accountability are the first duty of democratic government," Legal Director of First Amendment Coalition David Loy said. "That is the first job of the government, not the last, and the public has a compelling […]
- Government Transparency and Accountability
June 15, 2023
Asked and Answered

Can they stop me from gathering signatures in a city-owned building?

[…] to petition. The following general information may be useful for analyzing the question. As you seem to know, the First Amendment protects the right to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. The Supreme Court has "recognized this right to petition as one of ‘the most precious of the liberties safeguarded by the […]
- Free Expression
June 30, 2015
Posts

FAC Opposes Bills that Weaken Open-Meetings Protections

California lawmakers are considering bills that would weaken our open-meeting protections by allowing officials who serve on a variety of local and state government bodies to avoid showing up to work in person. FAC opposes: SB 544 SB 411 SB 537 Read our coalition’s opposition letters for SB 544, SB 411, and SB 537. What […]
- Government Transparency and Accountability
July 12, 2023