This open records bill would make Alabama ... better
A new law proposed by state Rep. Chris Pringle and state Sen. Cam Ward would completely overhaul Alabama's open records law – making it enforceable and giving citizens better, cheaper access to their government.
Read this column by Kyle Whitmire, state political columnist for the Alabama Media Group.
MOREThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution wins 2019 Brechner Freedom of Information Award
A team of investigative journalists at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, whose reporting led the City of Atlanta to overhaul its practices for responding to public-records requests, is the winner of the 2019 Brechner Freedom of Information Award.
MORE
FOIA protects press and public's access to information on retailer revenue from SNAP, Reporters Committee argues
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press is supporting Argus Leader Media in its fight for public access to information about how much revenue retailers earn from the federal nutrition assistance program, SNAP.
MOREInterior Department's response to a FOIA backlog: Tighten access to records
Journalists who regularly use the Freedom of Information Act to get documents about how federal environmental laws are enforced may soon find records harder, and more expensive, to obtain.
Newly proposed regulations would allow the Interior Department to enforce caps on how many requests it will process from frequent FOIA users, make it more difficult for news organizations to justify having their FOIA fees waived, and relax internal deadlines for the agency to act on requests.
MORE
Reporters Committee launches 'FOIA Wiki' beta
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press has launched a beta of the FOIA Wiki, a collaborative and evolving digital resource on the federal Freedom of Information Act. The FOIA Wiki is part legal guide, part community space for sharing information that aims to serve as a central hub on all manner of issues surrounding FOIA as the law celebrates its 50th anniversary.
MORE
We have a new website:
www.newspapers.org
America's Newspapers – the association formed from the merger of the Inland Press Association and Southern Newspaper Publishers Association – was ceremonially launched October 6 at its inaugural annual meeting in Chicago.
Dean Ridings will be its chief executive officer, effective Nov. 11.
America's Newspapers unites two of the oldest press associations to form one of the industry's largest advocates for newspapers and the many benefits to their communities, civil life, freedom of expression and democracy.
"Newspaper journalism provides a voice for the voiceless, challenges elected officials, shines a light on government, calls for change when change is needed, and exposes corruption and injustice," said Chris Reen, the president and publisher of The Gazette in Colorado Springs who will serve as the first president of America's Newspapers.
More
New association launches today;
SNPA-Inland merger is complete
A new association formed by the consolidation of SNPA and the Inland Press Association was officially launched today. The name of the new association will be announced on Oct. 6 at the association's first annual meeting in Chicago.
Edward VanHorn, SNPA's executive director, said that the merger unites two of the country's oldest press associations into a progressive new organization that will use its bigger and more powerful voice to be an unapologetic advocate for newspapers.
More