First Amendment Coalition
@facoalition.bsky.social
Fighting for free speech, a free press, and the public’s right to know. Inquiries: fac@firstamendmentcoalition.org
Support our work! https://firstamendmentcoalition.org/donate
Support our work! https://firstamendmentcoalition.org/donate
#BirdFlu cases are increasing again, and yet the CA Dept of Food & Agriculture is putting public health at risk by refusing to release critical data about which CA dairies are under #birdflu quarantine. www.npr.org/2025/11/05/n...
Reports of bird flu in farm animals raise concerns about the virus
Cases of bird flu have been reported in farm animals across the country. While there are no human cases, some are concerned the shutdown and cuts to federal resources have us flying in the dark.
www.npr.org
November 7, 2025 at 11:42 PM
#BirdFlu cases are increasing again, and yet the CA Dept of Food & Agriculture is putting public health at risk by refusing to release critical data about which CA dairies are under #birdflu quarantine. www.npr.org/2025/11/05/n...
Earlier this week, with California Rural Legal Assistance, we sued the CA Dept of Food & Agriculture for refusing to release information about which CA dairies are under #birdflu quarantine. Withholding this information puts public health at risk. www.latimes.com/science/stor...
State agriculture dept. is hiding bird flu information, legal aid group alleges in lawsuit
A legal aid group that represents farm workers is suing the state agriculture department claiming it is not sharing the locations of dairies that are experiencing H5N1 bird flu outbreaks, and that…
www.latimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Earlier this week, with California Rural Legal Assistance, we sued the CA Dept of Food & Agriculture for refusing to release information about which CA dairies are under #birdflu quarantine. Withholding this information puts public health at risk. www.latimes.com/science/stor...
FAC is representing @vallejosun.bsky.social in a public records lawsuit against the City of Vallejo. The city refuses to hand over video about police officers shooting of man in mental distress; the video they did release improperly blurs officers' faces. firstamendmentcoalition.org/news/post/fa...
FAC Sues City of Vallejo for Police Shooting Records
Vallejo Police are denying the Vallejo Sun video footage of the shooting of Alexander Schumann.
firstamendmentcoalition.org
November 6, 2025 at 5:47 PM
FAC is representing @vallejosun.bsky.social in a public records lawsuit against the City of Vallejo. The city refuses to hand over video about police officers shooting of man in mental distress; the video they did release improperly blurs officers' faces. firstamendmentcoalition.org/news/post/fa...
Right now, every dollar you give will go twice as far thanks to a generous $20,000 matching gift from FAC Board Leadership.
From now until Nov. 14, your donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $20,000 –
1/2
From now until Nov. 14, your donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $20,000 –
1/2
November 4, 2025 at 12:36 AM
Right now, every dollar you give will go twice as far thanks to a generous $20,000 matching gift from FAC Board Leadership.
From now until Nov. 14, your donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $20,000 –
1/2
From now until Nov. 14, your donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $20,000 –
1/2
We're disappointed the Berkeley City Council voted to fully encrypt all police radio traffic. This will take away a critical newsgathering tool and reduce public oversight of policing. firstamendmentcoalition.org/2025/10/28/f...
FAC Opposes Berkeley Plan to Encrypt Police Radio Communications
Advocacy
firstamendmentcoalition.org
October 31, 2025 at 10:42 PM
We're disappointed the Berkeley City Council voted to fully encrypt all police radio traffic. This will take away a critical newsgathering tool and reduce public oversight of policing. firstamendmentcoalition.org/2025/10/28/f...
🎉 A First Amendment and press freedom win! The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has denied Alameda County's request to re-hear the case against the sideshow spectator ban. Now back to the trial court! firstamendmentcoalition.org/news/post/pr...
Press Freedom Prevails in Federal Appeals Court
Our case challenging sideshow spectator bans now goes back to the district court.
firstamendmentcoalition.org
October 29, 2025 at 10:42 PM
🎉 A First Amendment and press freedom win! The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has denied Alameda County's request to re-hear the case against the sideshow spectator ban. Now back to the trial court! firstamendmentcoalition.org/news/post/pr...
Journalists, Election Day is days away; are you ready to cover it? Check out our new Reporter's Field Guide: Election Day Access to get up to speed: firstamendmentcoalition.org/handbook/rep...
Reporter’s Field Guide: Election Day Access
A guide to help reporters understand their access rights on and around Election Day. By Thadeus Greenson
firstamendmentcoalition.org
October 29, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Journalists, Election Day is days away; are you ready to cover it? Check out our new Reporter's Field Guide: Election Day Access to get up to speed: firstamendmentcoalition.org/handbook/rep...
We were inspired by the enthusiasm & curiosity of hundreds of student journalists who gathered for the regional Journalism Association of Community Colleges conferences this month, where we led sessions on protest coverage and public records. firstamendmentcoalition.org/news/post/po...
Powering the Student Press: FAC Gives Press Rights and Public Records Sessions at Recent Conferences
This month, FAC’s press education team got the chance to speak about protest coverage and public records with hundreds of student journalists from community colleges across the state.
firstamendmentcoalition.org
October 28, 2025 at 10:42 PM
We were inspired by the enthusiasm & curiosity of hundreds of student journalists who gathered for the regional Journalism Association of Community Colleges conferences this month, where we led sessions on protest coverage and public records. firstamendmentcoalition.org/news/post/po...
FAC, @spj-norcal.bsky.social & @pmwglocal39521.bsky.social are urging the Berkeley city council to reject a proposal to silence all police radio traffic. The public loses when journalists and community members can't listen to police radio comms www.berkeleyscanner.com/2025/10/21/c...
Public begins to push back on Berkeley police encryption plan
Other police agencies in California have found solutions that avoid complete encryption.
www.berkeleyscanner.com
October 28, 2025 at 9:15 PM
FAC, @spj-norcal.bsky.social & @pmwglocal39521.bsky.social are urging the Berkeley city council to reject a proposal to silence all police radio traffic. The public loses when journalists and community members can't listen to police radio comms www.berkeleyscanner.com/2025/10/21/c...
TODAY at 1pm PT: FAC will be hosting a virtual gathering with journalists to walk them through our latest Reporter’s Field Guide on Election Day Access. Register below and check out the guide and other educational resources on our website. firstamendmentcoalition.org/news/post/yo...
October 28, 2025 at 4:59 PM
TODAY at 1pm PT: FAC will be hosting a virtual gathering with journalists to walk them through our latest Reporter’s Field Guide on Election Day Access. Register below and check out the guide and other educational resources on our website. firstamendmentcoalition.org/news/post/yo...
If you’re a reporter with questions about what you and others are allowed to do in and around polling places on Election Day, we’ve got answers. Join us for a Q&A on 10/28 1 PM PT about our new election day access guide firstamendmentcoalition.org/news/post/yo...
Your Detailed Guide to Election Day Access
We’re thrilled to offer our latest Reporter’s Field Guide to help journalists report on elections.
firstamendmentcoalition.org
October 23, 2025 at 4:59 PM
If you’re a reporter with questions about what you and others are allowed to do in and around polling places on Election Day, we’ve got answers. Join us for a Q&A on 10/28 1 PM PT about our new election day access guide firstamendmentcoalition.org/news/post/yo...
Congrats to FAC Legal Director David Loy, who was named a Visionary Honoree by California Safe Schools and was the keynote speaker at its awards last week! 🎉 www.send2press.com/wire/califor...
California Safe Schools Marks 27 Years of Transformative Environmental Advocacy
LOS ANGELES, Calif., Oct. 16, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Since its founding in 1998, California Safe Schools (CSS) has been at the forefront of protecting children, educators, and communities from…
www.send2press.com
October 22, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Congrats to FAC Legal Director David Loy, who was named a Visionary Honoree by California Safe Schools and was the keynote speaker at its awards last week! 🎉 www.send2press.com/wire/califor...
Berkeley should keep its promise to protect public access and reject a proposal to silence all police radio traffic. The public loses when journalists and community members can't listen to police radio communications. www.berkeleyscanner.com/2025/10/21/c...
Public begins to push back on Berkeley police encryption plan
Other police agencies in California have found solutions that avoid complete encryption.
www.berkeleyscanner.com
October 21, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Berkeley should keep its promise to protect public access and reject a proposal to silence all police radio traffic. The public loses when journalists and community members can't listen to police radio communications. www.berkeleyscanner.com/2025/10/21/c...
FAC’s latest: A reporter’s guide to accessing election polling places and vote counting centers. firstamendmentcoalition.org/news/post/yo...
Your Detailed Guide to Election Day Access
We’re thrilled to offer our latest Reporter’s Field Guide to help journalists report on elections.
firstamendmentcoalition.org
October 21, 2025 at 4:59 PM
FAC’s latest: A reporter’s guide to accessing election polling places and vote counting centers. firstamendmentcoalition.org/news/post/yo...
In lieu of getting a person's rap sheet, are law enforcement agencies required to disclose certain information on arrests under the California Public Records Act? Part 3 of 3
October 20, 2025 at 10:42 PM
In lieu of getting a person's rap sheet, are law enforcement agencies required to disclose certain information on arrests under the California Public Records Act? Part 3 of 3
If you can't get a person's full rap sheet, but you are looking for information on a specific case, what documents can you request? Part 2 of 3
October 20, 2025 at 7:07 PM
If you can't get a person's full rap sheet, but you are looking for information on a specific case, what documents can you request? Part 2 of 3
Our legal director, David Loy, discusses accessing rap sheets under California Law. A rap sheet is a complete list of a person's entire arrest and conviction history. Can you just walk in and request someone's rap sheet from the police department? Part 1 of 3
October 20, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Our legal director, David Loy, discusses accessing rap sheets under California Law. A rap sheet is a complete list of a person's entire arrest and conviction history. Can you just walk in and request someone's rap sheet from the police department? Part 1 of 3
In the leadup to the No Kings protests tomorrow, the L.A. City Attorney asked the court to stay its order prohibiting LAPD from using
laist.com/brief/news/p...
laist.com/brief/news/p...
Judge denies LAPD request
To lessen use-of-force restrictions against press
laist.com
October 18, 2025 at 12:13 AM
In the leadup to the No Kings protests tomorrow, the L.A. City Attorney asked the court to stay its order prohibiting LAPD from using
laist.com/brief/news/p...
laist.com/brief/news/p...
A $2 million legal settlement with their existing county CEO is something taxpayers should be made aware of. The LA County Board of Supervisors thought otherwise. Kudos to Nick Gerda of @laist.com for getting the documents to the public. laist.com/news/politic...
LA County quietly paid a $2 million settlement to its CEO in ‘confidential’ deal
The agreement is labeled “confidential” and was not reported out publicly by the county.
laist.com
October 15, 2025 at 10:42 PM
A $2 million legal settlement with their existing county CEO is something taxpayers should be made aware of. The LA County Board of Supervisors thought otherwise. Kudos to Nick Gerda of @laist.com for getting the documents to the public. laist.com/news/politic...
Outstanding piece by @npr.org Pentagon reporter Tom Bowman on why he won't sign the Pentagon's new media policy. "Signing that document would make us stenographers parroting press releases, not watchdogs holding government officials accountable."
www.npr.org/2025/10/14/g...
www.npr.org/2025/10/14/g...
Opinion: Why I'm handing in my Pentagon press pass
Tom Bowman has held his Pentagon press pass for 28 years. He says the Pentagon's new media policy makes it impossible to be a journalist, which means finding out what's really going on behind the…
www.npr.org
October 15, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Outstanding piece by @npr.org Pentagon reporter Tom Bowman on why he won't sign the Pentagon's new media policy. "Signing that document would make us stenographers parroting press releases, not watchdogs holding government officials accountable."
www.npr.org/2025/10/14/g...
www.npr.org/2025/10/14/g...
Reposted by First Amendment Coalition
A California county’s top election official excluded journalists he doesn’t like from receiving press releases.
Today, in response to @facoalition.bsky.social’s advocacy for @shastascout.bsky.social, these actions got a strong rebuke by the board that hired him.
shastascout.org/supervisors-...
Today, in response to @facoalition.bsky.social’s advocacy for @shastascout.bsky.social, these actions got a strong rebuke by the board that hired him.
shastascout.org/supervisors-...
Supervisors unanimously condemn Shasta election official's decision to restrict press access – Shasta Scout
Registrar of Voters Clint Curtis responded by saying county supervisors, including the three who voted to appoint him in May, are “confused.” Nevertheless, he’s agreed to post press releases on the co...
shastascout.org
October 15, 2025 at 4:55 AM
A California county’s top election official excluded journalists he doesn’t like from receiving press releases.
Today, in response to @facoalition.bsky.social’s advocacy for @shastascout.bsky.social, these actions got a strong rebuke by the board that hired him.
shastascout.org/supervisors-...
Today, in response to @facoalition.bsky.social’s advocacy for @shastascout.bsky.social, these actions got a strong rebuke by the board that hired him.
shastascout.org/supervisors-...
We're glad to see the board of supervisors support transparency and a free press.
“The board unanimously respects the right of the press to have free and unfettered access to public information. We condemn Mr. Curtis’ action of excluding the press and encourage him to maintain a high level of transparency and access to public information.”
Supervisors unanimously condemn Shasta election official's decision to restrict press access – Shasta Scout
Registrar of Voters Clint Curtis responded by saying county supervisors, including the three who voted to appoint him in May, are “confused.” Nevertheless, he’s agreed to post press releases on the co...
shastascout.org
October 15, 2025 at 2:06 AM
We're glad to see the board of supervisors support transparency and a free press.
Reposted by First Amendment Coalition
Clint Curtis, Shasta County’s thin-skinned elections chief, stopped sending news releases to @shastascout.bsky.social because he didn't like its reporting.
His response when told it's unlawful to single out one news outlet? Collectively punishing of all of them.
His response when told it's unlawful to single out one news outlet? Collectively punishing of all of them.
Shasta Registrar of Voters Curtis to stop sending out election update press releases
The First Amendment Coaltion threatened litigation after Shasta Scout was allegedly exlcluded from receiving news releases from Curtis' office.
www.redding.com
October 12, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Clint Curtis, Shasta County’s thin-skinned elections chief, stopped sending news releases to @shastascout.bsky.social because he didn't like its reporting.
His response when told it's unlawful to single out one news outlet? Collectively punishing of all of them.
His response when told it's unlawful to single out one news outlet? Collectively punishing of all of them.
Government secrecy fuels corruption. Transparency fuels accountability. That’s why FAC challenges government secrecy head-on. Support FAC: firstamendmentcoalition.org/support-fac/
October 13, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Government secrecy fuels corruption. Transparency fuels accountability. That’s why FAC challenges government secrecy head-on. Support FAC: firstamendmentcoalition.org/support-fac/
FAC is representing @shastascout.bsky.social in this letter to Shasta County's elections official after he said the outlet was not "legitimate" and illegally removed her from a media release distribution list.
FAC Represents Newsroom After Shasta Elections Official Illegally Excludes its Journalists from Media Release Distribution
Advocacy
firstamendmentcoalition.org
October 10, 2025 at 4:59 PM
FAC is representing @shastascout.bsky.social in this letter to Shasta County's elections official after he said the outlet was not "legitimate" and illegally removed her from a media release distribution list.