First Amendment Foundation

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About the First Amendment Foundation

The First Amendment Foundation is a highly visible and accessible source of authoritative information, expertise and assistance to the public and news media. Founded as a non-profit organization in 1984 by The Florida Press Association, the Florida Society of Newspapers Editors and the Florida Association of Broadcasters to ensure that public commitment and progress in the areas of free speech, free press, and open government do not become checked and diluted during Florida’s changing times.

Its purpose is to protect and advance the public’s constitutional right to open government by providing education and training, legal aid and information services. Funding is based on voluntary contributions from various organizations and concerned individuals.

With the support of members and donors like you, the First Amendment Foundation is able to:

  • Operate a toll-free hotline available to anyone with a question about Florida’s open government laws. Give us a call: (800) 337-3518.
  • Track legislation in Tallahassee and fight efforts to make government less transparent.
  • Enlist a team of attorneys offering largely pro bono services to aggressively go after government agencies that block or stall legitimate access to information.
  • Conduct Sunshine Seminars across the state, training hundreds of public officials, journalists, attorneys, and concerned citizens each year on Florida’s public records and open meetings laws.
  • Publish the Government-in-the-Sunshine Manual and Pocket Guide each year so everyone can have the most up to date Sunshine Law changes at their fingertips.
  • Operate an online training program, the Sunshine Certificate Training Program, in partnership with the Poynter Institute – now open government is everyone’s business.

Our job has never been more challenging and, with your help, we will continue to fight efforts to erode Florida’s long-standing tradition of open government.

Support the First Amendment Foundation

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2018 Legislative Session

The number of bills we are already tracking that will either create new open government exemptions or extend current exemptions during the 2018 legislative session. Every exemption makes government less transparent!

Current Exemptions

Florida has 1,122 exemptions to our open government laws currently on the books.

News Articles

New Events Category Post

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News Alerts Category Test Post

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Ivanka Trump used a personal email account to send hundreds of emails about government business last year

The Washington Post by Josh Dawsey November 20, 2018 Ivanka Trump sent hundreds of emails last year to White House aides, Cabinet officials and her assistants using a personal account, many of them … Keep reading

10Investigates: Hagan campaign donor got secret Rays stadium info

10 News by Noah Pransky November 18, 2018 TAMPA, Fla. – For years, county commissioner Ken Hagan has been negotiating a new Rays stadium behind closed doors, going so far to preserve secrecy that he … Keep reading

Fox News backs CNN in lawsuit against Trump, wants Acosta’s access reinstated

Yahoo by Dylan Stableford November 14, 2018 The president of Fox News said on Wednesday that the cable news network is joining more than a dozen other media outlets in supporting rival CNN in its … Keep reading

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About

  • Our Mission
  • Board of Trustees & Staff

Programs & Services

  • Sunshine Certificate
  • Sunshine Training

Legislature

  • FAF in Action: 2019 Bill Letters
  • FAF in Action: 2018 Bill Letters
  • Archived Reports
  • Contact Your Legislator

News & Updates

  • Events
  • First Amendment Foundation Awards
  • FAF Press Releases
  • Litigation
  • Sunshine Week 2019

Resources

  • Open Government Pledge
  • Requesting & Providing Public Records
  • Open Government Resources
  • Find An Attorney
  • FAQs

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