National Freedom of Information Coalition (NFOIC)

07/16/2025

MuckRock, NFOIC and other leading transparency groups receive $1.25M Press Forward grant to help local journalists obtain government records
https://mailchi.mp/c2b255eb7b84/exciting-news-for-nfoic-journalists-and-access-defenders

08/07/2024

CHECK OUT THIS OPPORTUNITY!! ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️

Summary:
The New Mexico Foundation for Open Government is looking for a new executive director to take the reins of this dynamic organization.

Communication:
The FOG executive director is responsible for all administrative, fundraising, community outreach, advocacy, communication and financial responsibilities as outlined below. This person will be charged with a wide range of responsibilities from responding to hotline inquiries related to New Mexico’s Inspection of Public Records Act and open meeting laws along with posting regularly on social media, providing seminars related to data access and acting as a spokesperson. FOG is a 501(c)3 organization.

Communication:
The executive director must have strong oral and written communication skills as they will be responsible for FOG’s monthly newsletter, all social media activities, all print and electronic collateral/news releases as well as acting as FOG’s spokesperson. A general knowledge of media operations and comfort speaking to the public is needed.

Financial/Fundraising:
The executive director is responsible for all fundraising, including grant-writing, recruiting new members, and planning fundraising events. In addition, the executive director oversees the

day-to-day financial operations of FOG and works with the Board, Treasurer and the financial committee to keep FOG financially healthy and in good standing. This includes maintaining FOG’s financial data and filing necessary government records, planning, purchasing, receipts, disbursements, and analysis, creating annual budget and exercising control of the budget and all arrangements to meet financial objectives and ensuring that all of FOG’s funds, physical assets and other property are appropriately administered, maintained and safeguarded.

Advocacy:
The executive director regularly engages with local and state government officials and manages, oversees, and advocates for open government legislation at the state capitol. Familiarity with access to public records and related legislation is highly desirable.

Candidates are asked to send a cover letter detailing experience, education and background that makes you the ideal candidate for this position. Also include salary expectations in the cover letter. Send the cover letter and resume to [email protected]. The deadline for submissions is August 30, 2024.

01/26/2024

What's that sound? It's the sound of the clock ticking towards the 11:59 PM January 26 deadline for submissions to FAC's 2023 Free Speech & Open Government Award, which recognizes significant achievements in advancing freedom of information or freedom of expression. What are you waiting for? Submit your nomination here: https://firstamendmentcoalition.org/2023/11/2023-free-speech-and-open-government-award-nomination-form/

10/02/2023

09/19/2023

Just a few of the sessions we're looking forward to at in two weeks! Check out the full schedule and get your tickets here: http://bit.ly/foisummit2023

09/11/2023

Do you have your tickets yet for ? It's coming up soon, Oct. 3-5 online. Don't miss our timely panels and training sessions about AI in FOIA, the Netflix documentary Victim/Suspect, and so much more -- all for $25 for NFOIC members or $30 for nonmembers. Check out the full schedule and get your tickets at bit.ly/foisummit2023

Join NFOIC this fall for our annual gathering of access professionals, transparency advocates, journalists and everyone else who knows that open government is good government. This site has information about the summit, including info on the panelists, supporting materials, sponsors and more.

08/23/2023

Supported by the National Freedom of Information Coalition and the Florida First Amendment Foundation, Osceola County resident Josh Meyers, in April 2020, challenged Osceola County’s use of secret meetings, which violated both the spirit and the text of Florida’s robust Sunshine Laws. On Aug. 22, a panel of three judges affirmed a lower-court ruling in Meyers' favor.

The County had issued a state of emergency during the early days of the pandemic. The County then took the leap that it was entitled to hold secret meetings and prevent the public at large from watching their government at work.

The panel of three judges from the Sixth DCA in Lakeland released a Per Curium decision affirming the November 2021 decision by Circuit Court Judge Robert Egan which included a Declaration that Osceola County violated the Sunshine Law and a Permanent Injunction enjoining the County from violating the Sunshine Law in the future.

The county has 15 days to file a Motion for Rehearing, if it decides to do so. “If the county chooses to file a motion, I look forward to defending against it”, Josh Meyers said.

McCland Law. P.A. of Kissimmee, FL handled the initial stages of the Circuit Court proceedings and Weber, Crabb and Wein, P.A of St. Petersburg, FL handled the end of the Circuit Court proceedings as well as successfully defending the Final Judgment on Appeal.

“Today is a major victory for citizens of Osceola County and hopefully the Osceola County Board of Commission will finally take notice that they work for the people of Osceola County and must conform to State Laws”, Josh Meyers said.

08/16/2023

We're excited to announce the schedule for ! Check out the panels and training sessions, and get your tickets here bit.ly/foisummit2023

08/03/2023

Our FOI Bootcamp for Journalists of Color is returning this fall! Apply now for free in-depth training on records access laws, crafting requests, and combating roadblocks -- plus a ticket to the FOI Summit! bit.ly/foibootcamp

07/27/2023

Register now for !! For only $25 (NFOIC members) or $30 (non-members) you’ll get access to more than a dozen live panels and training sessions, plus the latest tools, research, and networking with colleagues across the country! - https://mailchi.mp/937aa7faa838/register-now-for-foisummit23

06/21/2023

The National FOI Summit is returning this fall! We’ll gather online Oct. 3-5 to network, share and learn about the latest in state open records laws. Watch for registration to open in July, and send us your ideas for sessions and speakers here: https://bit.ly/43Vex4t

05/26/2023

On the passing of Mal Leary -

The board of the National Freedom of Information Coalition mourns the passing of longtime Maine journalist and former NFOIC president Mal Leary, a champion of government transparency in his state and nationally.