The First Amendment Coalition, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing free speech, more open and accountable government, and public participation in civic affairs, has allowed inewsource to make its open government resources available to you.
The California Public Records Act
The California Public Records Act (CPRA) provides a right of access to records in the possession of state and local governments (but excluding the state Legislature and the courts).
It is arguably the most important tool for investigative journalists in California, and it can be used by anyone in the state to find out more about their government.
The Brown Act
The Brown Act requires governing and other bodies of local government agencies to conduct business in a way that enables the public to scrutinize and, to a slightly lesser extent, participate in, government decisions, actions and policy choices.
The Brown Act covers all aspects of local government deliberation, from agenda-posting and meeting requirements to the attorney-client privilege and settlement of lawsuits.
The Freedom of Information Act
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is the law for the federal government, covering most executive and independent federal agencies—but notably excluding Congress, which often exempts itself from laws imposed on the rest of the government, and the federal courts. Enacted under President Johnson in 1966, FOIA is a powerful access tool.
Other First Amendment Resources
The National Freedom of Information Coalition is a nonpartisan alliance of citizen-driven nonprofit freedom of information organizations, academic and First Amendment centers, journalistic societies and attorneys.
CalAware.org fosters “the improvement of, compliance with and public understanding and use of, public forum law.”
Click here for more information.