Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Project
@brechnerfoi.bsky.social
The Brechner FOI Project works to educate journalists, policymakers and the general public about the law of access.
Based at University of Florida's College of Journalism and Communications. Inquires: brechnerreport@jou.ufl.edu
Based at University of Florida's College of Journalism and Communications. Inquires: brechnerreport@jou.ufl.edu
Do vague “reasonable” copy fee laws let agencies overcharge? A new study says yes, and even stricter laws may not stop it. Some countries have banned copy fees entirely. Should the U.S. do the same? 📝
brechner.org/2025/08/14/s...
#FOIA #OpenGovernment #Transparency #PublicRecords
brechner.org/2025/08/14/s...
#FOIA #OpenGovernment #Transparency #PublicRecords
Study: Copy fee provisions should be more specific, attorney argues - Brechner Center for Freedom of Information
A recent article in the Wyoming Law Review examines copy fee provisions in the U.S. Freedom of Information Act, Wyoming law, and Colorado law, concluding that vague laws allowing “reasonable” copy fee...
brechner.org
August 14, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Do vague “reasonable” copy fee laws let agencies overcharge? A new study says yes, and even stricter laws may not stop it. Some countries have banned copy fees entirely. Should the U.S. do the same? 📝
brechner.org/2025/08/14/s...
#FOIA #OpenGovernment #Transparency #PublicRecords
brechner.org/2025/08/14/s...
#FOIA #OpenGovernment #Transparency #PublicRecords
A Wisconsin appeals court ruled July 29 that public officials can’t hide their government-related text messages on private cell phones.
midwestadvocates.org/legal-victor...
#FOIA #FOI #lawsuit #wisconsin
midwestadvocates.org/legal-victor...
#FOIA #FOI #lawsuit #wisconsin
Legal Victory for MEA is a Win for Government Transparency and Accountability | Midwest Environmental Advocates
In a decision issued this week, an appellate court addressed two significant issues that will affect open government and the public records law moving forward: whether text messages on private cell ph...
midwestadvocates.org
August 13, 2025 at 5:20 PM
A Wisconsin appeals court ruled July 29 that public officials can’t hide their government-related text messages on private cell phones.
midwestadvocates.org/legal-victor...
#FOIA #FOI #lawsuit #wisconsin
midwestadvocates.org/legal-victor...
#FOIA #FOI #lawsuit #wisconsin
🚨 Washington lawmakers are auto-deleting emails again.
Under a new policy, emails not from a bill’s prime sponsor can be erased after 30 days, limiting the public's ability to track how laws are made.
brechner.org/2025/08/12/w...
#FOIA #SunshineLaws #Transparency
Under a new policy, emails not from a bill’s prime sponsor can be erased after 30 days, limiting the public's ability to track how laws are made.
brechner.org/2025/08/12/w...
#FOIA #SunshineLaws #Transparency
Washington lawmakers reinstate 30-day email auto-delete policy, raising transparency concerns - Brechner Center for Freedom of Information
Washington state House lawmakers have reinstated a controversial email auto-deletion policy, allowing most legislative emails, including those about bills and communications with lobbyists, to be perm...
brechner.org
August 12, 2025 at 4:37 PM
🚨 Washington lawmakers are auto-deleting emails again.
Under a new policy, emails not from a bill’s prime sponsor can be erased after 30 days, limiting the public's ability to track how laws are made.
brechner.org/2025/08/12/w...
#FOIA #SunshineLaws #Transparency
Under a new policy, emails not from a bill’s prime sponsor can be erased after 30 days, limiting the public's ability to track how laws are made.
brechner.org/2025/08/12/w...
#FOIA #SunshineLaws #Transparency
📞 A new FOI hotline just dropped in Indiana
Call 260-ASK-ICOG for help with public records, open meetings, or figuring out what to do if your request gets denied.
Free. Volunteer-run. Here to help.
🔗 www.indystar.com/story/news/l...
#FOIA #Transparency #PublicAccess #Indiana
Call 260-ASK-ICOG for help with public records, open meetings, or figuring out what to do if your request gets denied.
Free. Volunteer-run. Here to help.
🔗 www.indystar.com/story/news/l...
#FOIA #Transparency #PublicAccess #Indiana
New Indiana hotline answers questions on public information and open meeting laws
The Indiana Coalition for Open Government started the hotline to help with questions about the Access to Public Records Act and the Open Door Law.
www.indystar.com
August 11, 2025 at 5:15 PM
📞 A new FOI hotline just dropped in Indiana
Call 260-ASK-ICOG for help with public records, open meetings, or figuring out what to do if your request gets denied.
Free. Volunteer-run. Here to help.
🔗 www.indystar.com/story/news/l...
#FOIA #Transparency #PublicAccess #Indiana
Call 260-ASK-ICOG for help with public records, open meetings, or figuring out what to do if your request gets denied.
Free. Volunteer-run. Here to help.
🔗 www.indystar.com/story/news/l...
#FOIA #Transparency #PublicAccess #Indiana
🗞️ New @BrechnerFOI study finds fewer newspapers per capita = more violations of public records laws.
“Government transparency is never guaranteed.” – Brett Posner-Ferdman
📖 brechner.org/2025/08/05/d...
#FOIA #Transparency
“Government transparency is never guaranteed.” – Brett Posner-Ferdman
📖 brechner.org/2025/08/05/d...
#FOIA #Transparency
Dark deserts: Dwindling newspapers associated with greater government secrecy - Brechner Center for Freedom of Information
A new study from the Brechner Freedom of Information Project finds that states with weaker newspaper environments are associated with greater government secrecy.
brechner.org
August 5, 2025 at 8:10 PM
🗞️ New @BrechnerFOI study finds fewer newspapers per capita = more violations of public records laws.
“Government transparency is never guaranteed.” – Brett Posner-Ferdman
📖 brechner.org/2025/08/05/d...
#FOIA #Transparency
“Government transparency is never guaranteed.” – Brett Posner-Ferdman
📖 brechner.org/2025/08/05/d...
#FOIA #Transparency
Florida pulled contract details for its $250 million ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ detention camp after reporters started asking questions.
📰 Read more: brechner.org/2025/07/29/b...
📰 Read more: brechner.org/2025/07/29/b...
Brechner FOI director David Cuillier flags Florida for scrubbing ‘Alligator Alcatraz” detention facility records - Brechner Center for Freedom of Information
Brechner Freedom of Information Project director David Cuillier is questioning Florida’s decision to remove detailed contract records tied to its new $250 million detention camp from a public website.
brechner.org
July 29, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Florida pulled contract details for its $250 million ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ detention camp after reporters started asking questions.
📰 Read more: brechner.org/2025/07/29/b...
📰 Read more: brechner.org/2025/07/29/b...
240,000+ pages of FBI files on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. have been released.
Originally sealed until 2027, the documents include records of surveillance and disinformation efforts.
King’s children opposed the early release.
www.pbs.org/newshour/pol...
#FOI #FOIA
Originally sealed until 2027, the documents include records of surveillance and disinformation efforts.
King’s children opposed the early release.
www.pbs.org/newshour/pol...
#FOI #FOIA
Trump administration releases FBI records on MLK Jr. despite his family’s opposition
Martin Luther King Jr.'s two living children are urging people to tread lightly with a newly released trove of records related to their father's assassination.
www.pbs.org
July 28, 2025 at 5:51 PM
240,000+ pages of FBI files on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. have been released.
Originally sealed until 2027, the documents include records of surveillance and disinformation efforts.
King’s children opposed the early release.
www.pbs.org/newshour/pol...
#FOI #FOIA
Originally sealed until 2027, the documents include records of surveillance and disinformation efforts.
King’s children opposed the early release.
www.pbs.org/newshour/pol...
#FOI #FOIA
🗂️ FOI Tip: Use people skills to get records. Let officials vent. Listen and repeat what you heard. Use “I” not “you” statements. Talk informally, side-by-side, to avoid creating opposition.
#FOI #FOITips #PublicRecords
#FOI #FOITips #PublicRecords
July 28, 2025 at 2:22 PM
🗂️ FOI Tip: Use people skills to get records. Let officials vent. Listen and repeat what you heard. Use “I” not “you” statements. Talk informally, side-by-side, to avoid creating opposition.
#FOI #FOITips #PublicRecords
#FOI #FOITips #PublicRecords
📲 Ronald Capaldi’s new article in the Journal of the National Association of Administrative Law Judiciary urges mandated algorithmic audits and clearer FOIA trade secret rules to ensure transparency in government AI use.
Read more: brechner.org/2025/07/24/s...
Read more: brechner.org/2025/07/24/s...
Study: Government AI in FOIA requires transparency measures - Brechner Center for Freedom of Information
As federal agencies increasingly use artificial intelligence to process public records requests, new research calls for stronger transparency requirements. In the Journal of the National Association o...
brechner.org
July 25, 2025 at 5:16 PM
📲 Ronald Capaldi’s new article in the Journal of the National Association of Administrative Law Judiciary urges mandated algorithmic audits and clearer FOIA trade secret rules to ensure transparency in government AI use.
Read more: brechner.org/2025/07/24/s...
Read more: brechner.org/2025/07/24/s...
🚨 New Brechner Report out now!
This edition features a powerful new collab: MuckRock, NFOIC, Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press & the Brechner FOI Project are teaming up to support local journalists.
Read it here: brechner.org/resources/br...
#FOIA #opengov #transparency
This edition features a powerful new collab: MuckRock, NFOIC, Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press & the Brechner FOI Project are teaming up to support local journalists.
Read it here: brechner.org/resources/br...
#FOIA #opengov #transparency
Brechner Report - Brechner Center for Freedom of Information
Read more
brechner.org
July 24, 2025 at 7:02 PM
🚨 New Brechner Report out now!
This edition features a powerful new collab: MuckRock, NFOIC, Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press & the Brechner FOI Project are teaming up to support local journalists.
Read it here: brechner.org/resources/br...
#FOIA #opengov #transparency
This edition features a powerful new collab: MuckRock, NFOIC, Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press & the Brechner FOI Project are teaming up to support local journalists.
Read it here: brechner.org/resources/br...
#FOIA #opengov #transparency
📲 New @MuckRock guide on requesting text messages as public records. Learn what counts and how to request them.
Read it here: www.muckrock.com/news/archive...
#FOI #FOIA #openrecords
Read it here: www.muckrock.com/news/archive...
#FOI #FOIA #openrecords
Text messages are public records. How do you request them?
Whether they appear in a yellow lined notebook or on white printer paper, government documents are government documents.
www.muckrock.com
July 23, 2025 at 4:09 PM
📲 New @MuckRock guide on requesting text messages as public records. Learn what counts and how to request them.
Read it here: www.muckrock.com/news/archive...
#FOI #FOIA #openrecords
Read it here: www.muckrock.com/news/archive...
#FOI #FOIA #openrecords
🗂️ Remember: Secrecy Tracker is free
Find bills in any state or Congress that could limit access to records or meetings.
Stay informed: secrecytracker.org
Find bills in any state or Congress that could limit access to records or meetings.
Stay informed: secrecytracker.org
Secrecy Tracker: Tracking bills that affect your right to know.
secrecytracker.org
July 17, 2025 at 4:19 PM
🗂️ Remember: Secrecy Tracker is free
Find bills in any state or Congress that could limit access to records or meetings.
Stay informed: secrecytracker.org
Find bills in any state or Congress that could limit access to records or meetings.
Stay informed: secrecytracker.org
Reposted by Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Project
Getting access to public docs is getting harder, particularly at the local level. I'm excited for @muckrock.com @nfoic.bsky.social @rcfp.org and the @brechnerfoi.bsky.social to work together to to fight for information more effectively all across the country: www.muckrock.com/news/archive...
MuckRock, NFOIC and other leading transparency groups receive $1.25M Press Forward grant to help local journalists obtain government records
Journalism relies on public records, but transparency laws are weakening nationwide, with longer response times, high fees and more frequent rejections. Agencies know that few newsrooms can research a...
www.muckrock.com
July 16, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Getting access to public docs is getting harder, particularly at the local level. I'm excited for @muckrock.com @nfoic.bsky.social @rcfp.org and the @brechnerfoi.bsky.social to work together to to fight for information more effectively all across the country: www.muckrock.com/news/archive...
🗞️ Watchdog sues DOJ for records on judicial nominee Emil Bove.
FOIA lawsuit seeks emails about deportations, NYC Mayor Adams’ case, and other controversies as Bove’s confirmation vote nears.
Details: brechner.org/2025/07/15/w...
FOIA lawsuit seeks emails about deportations, NYC Mayor Adams’ case, and other controversies as Bove’s confirmation vote nears.
Details: brechner.org/2025/07/15/w...
Watchdog group sues DOJ for records on judicial nominee Emil Bove - Brechner Center for Freedom of Information
Watchdog group, American Oversight has filed a lawsuit in federal court to compel the United States Justice Department to release records related to Emil Bove, a senior DOJ official and federal judici...
brechner.org
July 16, 2025 at 1:32 PM
🗞️ Watchdog sues DOJ for records on judicial nominee Emil Bove.
FOIA lawsuit seeks emails about deportations, NYC Mayor Adams’ case, and other controversies as Bove’s confirmation vote nears.
Details: brechner.org/2025/07/15/w...
FOIA lawsuit seeks emails about deportations, NYC Mayor Adams’ case, and other controversies as Bove’s confirmation vote nears.
Details: brechner.org/2025/07/15/w...
💊 FDA proactively releases 200+ drug rejection letters explaining initial non-approvals for medicines later approved.
www.reuters.com/business/hea...
www.reuters.com/business/hea...
US FDA publishes 200 complete response letters from archive in transparency drive
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday publicly shared over 200 archived so-called complete response letters related to medicines that were later approved, in a bid to improve transparency under the leadership of U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
www.reuters.com
July 15, 2025 at 2:04 PM
💊 FDA proactively releases 200+ drug rejection letters explaining initial non-approvals for medicines later approved.
www.reuters.com/business/hea...
www.reuters.com/business/hea...
🗞️ Did you miss this in the Brechner Report?
📌 69% of investigative journalists say limited access to records is the biggest barrier to accountability.
Frequent delays, denials, high fees, and political pressure are worsening the problem.
Read more:
brechner.org/resources/br...
📌 69% of investigative journalists say limited access to records is the biggest barrier to accountability.
Frequent delays, denials, high fees, and political pressure are worsening the problem.
Read more:
brechner.org/resources/br...
Brechner Report - Brechner Center for Freedom of Information
Read more
brechner.org
July 10, 2025 at 3:45 PM
🗞️ Did you miss this in the Brechner Report?
📌 69% of investigative journalists say limited access to records is the biggest barrier to accountability.
Frequent delays, denials, high fees, and political pressure are worsening the problem.
Read more:
brechner.org/resources/br...
📌 69% of investigative journalists say limited access to records is the biggest barrier to accountability.
Frequent delays, denials, high fees, and political pressure are worsening the problem.
Read more:
brechner.org/resources/br...
Gov. DeSantis signed SB 1652, shielding some stricken court records from public release. 🧾
The law applies to noncriminal filings deemed defamatory or irrelevant by a judge—aimed at curbing “vexatious litigation.”
📄 floridapolitics.com/archives/744...
#foi #foia #florida
The law applies to noncriminal filings deemed defamatory or irrelevant by a judge—aimed at curbing “vexatious litigation.”
📄 floridapolitics.com/archives/744...
#foi #foia #florida
Gov. DeSantis signs measure shielding some court documents from public records requests
The narrowly tailored measure is meant to keep records a court rejected as defamatory from public dissemination.
floridapolitics.com
July 2, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Gov. DeSantis signed SB 1652, shielding some stricken court records from public release. 🧾
The law applies to noncriminal filings deemed defamatory or irrelevant by a judge—aimed at curbing “vexatious litigation.”
📄 floridapolitics.com/archives/744...
#foi #foia #florida
The law applies to noncriminal filings deemed defamatory or irrelevant by a judge—aimed at curbing “vexatious litigation.”
📄 floridapolitics.com/archives/744...
#foi #foia #florida
KY AG says City of Union violated Open Records Act 📄
The city failed to respond on time, explain redactions, or conduct a full search.
No court action expected, but new phones for officials coming July 1.
🔗 linknky.com/news/2025/06...
#foi #foia
The city failed to respond on time, explain redactions, or conduct a full search.
No court action expected, but new phones for officials coming July 1.
🔗 linknky.com/news/2025/06...
#foi #foia
Kentucky AG: Union violated law allowing access to public records
The Kentucky AG'ss Office has issued an opinion stating the City of Union "violated the Open Records Act." The city disagrees. Read more.
linknky.com
June 30, 2025 at 8:25 PM
KY AG says City of Union violated Open Records Act 📄
The city failed to respond on time, explain redactions, or conduct a full search.
No court action expected, but new phones for officials coming July 1.
🔗 linknky.com/news/2025/06...
#foi #foia
The city failed to respond on time, explain redactions, or conduct a full search.
No court action expected, but new phones for officials coming July 1.
🔗 linknky.com/news/2025/06...
#foi #foia
Environmental group sues U.S. Department of Energy for records pertaining to potential clean-energy developments that could further delay cleanup at the Hanford nuclear reservation in Washington state.
🔗 Read the full story: www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/h...
🔗 Read the full story: www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/h...
‘Kept in the dark.’ Group sues feds for withholding Hanford nuclear site info
“When it comes to government transparency and the Hanford nuclear site, the stakes couldn’t be higher for people who rely on the Columbia.”
www.tri-cityherald.com
June 24, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Environmental group sues U.S. Department of Energy for records pertaining to potential clean-energy developments that could further delay cleanup at the Hanford nuclear reservation in Washington state.
🔗 Read the full story: www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/h...
🔗 Read the full story: www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/h...
Sebastian County's prosecutor wants the Arkansas AG to investigate possible criminal FOIA violations in Fort Smith. Officials allegedly deleted public records.
More: www.nwahomepage.com/news/sebasti...
More: www.nwahomepage.com/news/sebasti...
www.nwahomepage.com
June 16, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Sebastian County's prosecutor wants the Arkansas AG to investigate possible criminal FOIA violations in Fort Smith. Officials allegedly deleted public records.
More: www.nwahomepage.com/news/sebasti...
More: www.nwahomepage.com/news/sebasti...
🚨 A Connecticut city violated the state’s open record law by requiring written requests for public records. insideinvestigator.org/ansonia-viol...
#FOIA
#FOIA
Ansonia violated FOIA with written request policy
Read More at Inside Investigator >>
insideinvestigator.org
June 9, 2025 at 2:28 PM
🚨 A Connecticut city violated the state’s open record law by requiring written requests for public records. insideinvestigator.org/ansonia-viol...
#FOIA
#FOIA
In Lawton, Oklahoma, a $30K open records request has city officials calling for changes to state law.
Council members say they’ll talk to lawmakers about the cost of compliance.
📰 www.swoknews.com/news/council...
#FOIA
Council members say they’ll talk to lawmakers about the cost of compliance.
📰 www.swoknews.com/news/council...
#FOIA
Council says cost to comply with Open Records request should prompt changes
LAWTON, OK — A $67,000 price tag for complying with an Open Records Act request may prompt City Council members to talk to state legislators about changes in the law.
www.swoknews.com
June 5, 2025 at 1:28 PM
In Lawton, Oklahoma, a $30K open records request has city officials calling for changes to state law.
Council members say they’ll talk to lawmakers about the cost of compliance.
📰 www.swoknews.com/news/council...
#FOIA
Council members say they’ll talk to lawmakers about the cost of compliance.
📰 www.swoknews.com/news/council...
#FOIA
A new lawsuit claims DHS failed to respond to FOIA requests about its DNA collection program for noncitizens. 🔎
www.newsweek.com/dhs-cbp-ice-...
#FOIA #lawsuit
www.newsweek.com/dhs-cbp-ice-...
#FOIA #lawsuit
DHS collecting DNA as part of larger "massive surveillance" effort: Lawsuit
"The country deserves to know the details of DHS's DNA collection program," Georgetown Law's Stevie Glaberson told Newsweek.
www.newsweek.com
June 4, 2025 at 7:19 PM
A new lawsuit claims DHS failed to respond to FOIA requests about its DNA collection program for noncitizens. 🔎
www.newsweek.com/dhs-cbp-ice-...
#FOIA #lawsuit
www.newsweek.com/dhs-cbp-ice-...
#FOIA #lawsuit
“Didn’t really move the needle.”
Brechner Director David Cuillier comments on Alabama’s low FOI compliance in Al.com latest report. He points to delays, fees and vague rejections.
brechner.org/2025/06/03/b...
#FOI #openrecords
Brechner Director David Cuillier comments on Alabama’s low FOI compliance in Al.com latest report. He points to delays, fees and vague rejections.
brechner.org/2025/06/03/b...
#FOI #openrecords
Brechner Director David Cuillier comments on Alabama’s low public records compliance - Brechner Center for Freedom of Information
Access to public records continues to vary widely by state, with Alabama ranking last in compliance, according to a recent analysis.
brechner.org
June 4, 2025 at 7:16 PM
“Didn’t really move the needle.”
Brechner Director David Cuillier comments on Alabama’s low FOI compliance in Al.com latest report. He points to delays, fees and vague rejections.
brechner.org/2025/06/03/b...
#FOI #openrecords
Brechner Director David Cuillier comments on Alabama’s low FOI compliance in Al.com latest report. He points to delays, fees and vague rejections.
brechner.org/2025/06/03/b...
#FOI #openrecords
📄 Goldwater Institute asks Arizona Supreme Court to review two public records cases:
📌 City of Phoenix
📌 University of Arizona
www.goldwaterinstitute.org/goldwater-de...
#FOI #openrecords #lawsuit
📌 City of Phoenix
📌 University of Arizona
www.goldwaterinstitute.org/goldwater-de...
#FOI #openrecords #lawsuit
Goldwater Defends Transparency in Two Public Records Lawsuits
Government transparency laws like the federal Freedom of Information Act and the many state versions of that law are designed..
www.goldwaterinstitute.org
June 2, 2025 at 2:34 PM
📄 Goldwater Institute asks Arizona Supreme Court to review two public records cases:
📌 City of Phoenix
📌 University of Arizona
www.goldwaterinstitute.org/goldwater-de...
#FOI #openrecords #lawsuit
📌 City of Phoenix
📌 University of Arizona
www.goldwaterinstitute.org/goldwater-de...
#FOI #openrecords #lawsuit