FOI

A recent study in Indonesia highlights frustrations like those reported by public records requesters in the United States. The researcher of the study, “Citizens’ subjective experiences of public information disclosure: A human rights and transparency perspective,” conducted 10 in depth-interviews with individuals seeking government records to learn that people were…

After more than three decades of resolving disputes over public access to records, the Utah Legislature may soon consider a bill that would dismantle the State Records Committee.  According to reporting from the Salt Lake Tribune, Utah Senate Majority Assistant Whip Mike McKell is working on a proposal that could…

The seventh annual Freedom of Information Research Competition, sponsored by the National Freedom of Information Coalition and University of Florida Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Project, welcomes one-page proposals for papers that shed light on freedom of information.  The top three papers will earn cash prizes and will be…

The Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Project at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (UFCJC) launched today a national Secrecy Tracker to help identify legislation that threatens the public’s access to government records and meetings.  The tool allows anyone for free to see what bills are…

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, has signaled that expanding the state’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to include top government offices is not a priority for him.   Michigan is one of only two states that fully exempts the governor and lawmakers from public records requests. …

A recent study published in Regulation & Governance found that German states that require government agencies to be proactive and helpful in providing records to the public are more likely to respond better to public record requests.  The study looked at over 100,000 public records requests submitted to more than…

In a recent article in the Emory Law Journal, law student Maranda Johnston critiques the growing use of trade secret exemptions by private companies to withhold vital information from the public. These exemptions, she argues, allow companies to avoid transparency and scrutiny, even when the information they possess could be…

House Bill 100 proposed in the Montana Legislature sounds good on the surface, touted as streamlining the process. But the details indicate otherwise.  The legislative sponsors say the legislation will help set deadlines and fees. However, based on our research, several key provisions of the bill would make access to…

A study published in the Lincoln Memorial University Law Review argues that expunging felony and misdemeanor conviction records has societal benefits with “minimal side effects.“ Authored by Meganne Lee-Rogers, the study examines the growing number of states passing laws to expunge criminal convictions.  Lee-Rogers found that 12 states, including New…

HELENA, Mont. — The Montana Supreme Court has ruled 4-3 that Gov. Greg Gianforte may withhold certain documents from the public, including those related to policy development and internal deliberations.  Reported by Montana Public Radio, the case began when a group of news organizations, including the Montana Standard, filed a…

A study recently published in the Journal of Mathematics Instruction, Social Research and Opinion found that while 92% residents in Budhanilkantha, Nepal, understood the importance of transparency in creating good government, only a quarter sought information from the government. Khila Nath Sapkota of Tribhuvan University surveyed 120 people from the…

In a new lawsuit, a former high–profile Utah State employee alleges that two of his ex-bosses have been engaging in conversations on a messaging app that automatically deletes texts, to subvert the state’s open record laws.   Originally reported by The Salt Lake Tribune, the claim is detailed in one of…