Brechner Freedom of Information Project

David Cuillier, director of the Brechner Freedom of Information Project, is quoted in “’Certainly Intimidation:’ Louisiana Sues EPA for Emails of Journalists and ‘Cancer Alley’ Residents” published in The Guardian on Feb. 2. The article focuses on Louisiana’s fight against environmental protection with the rare use of public record laws to…

Read more
Posted: February 2, 2024

The Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information (FOI) Project at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications is joining the National Freedom of Information Coalition (NFOIC) in promoting research in access to government information. The two organizations will co-sponsor the annual Freedom of Information Research Competition, which, for…

Read more
Posted: January 9, 2024

David Cuillier, director of the Brechner Freedom of Information Project, is quoted in “Locked Out of Local Government: Residents Decry Increased Secrecy Among Towns, Counties, Schools” published on apnews.com on Dec. 18. The article focuses on the lack of disclosure regarding a major property-tax hike in a small Pennsylvania town. It’s…

Read more
Posted: December 19, 2023

David Cuillier, director of the Brechner Freedom of Information Project, is quoted in “Washington Tax Agency Pressured to End Controversial Secrecy Policy” published on crosscut.com on Dec. 13. The article focuses on a recently revealed policy from the State of Washington Department of Revenue that supposedly allowed it to black out…

Read more
Posted: December 18, 2023

David Cuillier, director of the  Brechner Freedom of Information Project, is quoted in “How Anti-Abortion Pregnancy Centers in Florida Get Taxpayer Funds With Almost No Oversight” published on revealnews.org on Dec. 13. The story focuses on the Florida Pregnancy Care Network, a nonprofit in charge of distributing state funds to…

Read more
Posted: December 13, 2023

The Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information (FOI) Project at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications will educate Americans about the right to public records by coordinating national Sunshine Week, starting in March 2024. The News Leaders Association (NLA), which has led Sunshine Week since 2005, is…

Read more
Posted: December 11, 2023

David Cuillier, director of the  Brechner Freedom of Information Project, is quoted in “WATCHDOG REPORT: Researchers say YSU’s Secret President Search May Not Have Been the Best Option” published on wfmj.com, the NBC television affiliate in Youngstown, Ohio on Dec. 4. The story focuses on Youngstown State University’s (YSU) search…

Read more
Posted: December 5, 2023

David Cuillier, director of the  Brechner Freedom of Information Project, will provide a national overview of the ability for people to access government information at the Newspaper Association Managers conference on Dec. 4 in Washington, D.C. The organization represents directors of state, regional, national and international press associations, which assist…

Read more
Posted: December 1, 2023

The November 2023 edition of the  Journal of Civic Information, published by the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Brechner Freedom of Information Project, features a new study “Owning the Police: Crime Data, Copyright, and Public Information” by Jay Wagner of Marquette University. The study indicates that about…

Read more
Posted: December 1, 2023

David Cuillier, director of the  Brechner Freedom of Information Project, is quoted in “Curious Commonwealth Asks: Are Virginia Open Records Laws Weaker Than Other States?” published on the website for Virginia Public Media on Oct. 25. The story investigates the strength of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) laws in Virginia…

Read more
Posted: November 2, 2023

David Cuillier, director of the Brechner Freedom of Information Project, is quoted in “Access to Public Records is ‘Deteriorating Terribly’” published on route-fifty.com on Oct. 31. The article focuses on Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ recommendation to change Florida’s records law to exempt the governor’s travel records. Not only would the…

Read more
Posted: November 1, 2023

David Cuillier, director of the Brechner Freedom of Information Project, is quoted in “Closed-Door Sessions Endure at County, City Meetings” published on nogalesinternational.com on Oct. 13. The article focuses on a closed-door meeting by Arizona’s Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors involving a legal discussion between the county and South32,…

Read more
Posted: October 17, 2023