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
BREAKING: FAC has filed a federal lawsuit seeking to prevent San Benito County from violating the First Amendment rights of two anonymous journalists who run Benito Beet Beat, a satirical news outlet on Facebook. firstamendmentcoalition.org/case/doe-v-c...
November 26, 2025 at 8:32 PM
BREAKING: FAC has filed a federal lawsuit seeking to prevent San Benito County from violating the First Amendment rights of two anonymous journalists who run Benito Beet Beat, a satirical news outlet on Facebook. firstamendmentcoalition.org/case/doe-v-c...
California Rural Legal Assistance wants to give PPE to rural dairy workers and provide information about what to do if they get sick and how to protect themselves. But they can't focus their outreach on the bird flu hotspots without quarantine data. More: firstamendmentcoalition.org/news/post/st...
November 7, 2025 at 11:42 PM
California Rural Legal Assistance wants to give PPE to rural dairy workers and provide information about what to do if they get sick and how to protect themselves. But they can't focus their outreach on the bird flu hotspots without quarantine data. More: firstamendmentcoalition.org/news/post/st...
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
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...
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
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/
Journalists, don't miss three great opportunities this month to learn from FAC's experts about covering protests and immigration enforcement. firstamendmentcoalition.org/news/post/ca...
October 7, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Journalists, don't miss three great opportunities this month to learn from FAC's experts about covering protests and immigration enforcement. firstamendmentcoalition.org/news/post/ca...
FAC is thrilled to announce @wafa.bsky.social of the Omidyar Network has joined FAC's board of directors! firstamendmentcoalition.org/news/post/om...
October 6, 2025 at 10:42 PM
FAC is thrilled to announce @wafa.bsky.social of the Omidyar Network has joined FAC's board of directors! firstamendmentcoalition.org/news/post/om...
Do you care deeply about protecting free speech & government accountability? Do your loved ones have the security of an up-to-date will? Protect what matters most—your loved ones & the values you cherish. By creating a free, 20-minute will through our partner FreeWill, 1/2
October 2, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Do you care deeply about protecting free speech & government accountability? Do your loved ones have the security of an up-to-date will? Protect what matters most—your loved ones & the values you cherish. By creating a free, 20-minute will through our partner FreeWill, 1/2
Public records belong to the public. Your tax dollars pay for government and you have the right to see what the government is doing. To learn more about the California Public Records Act, download our handbook. firstamendmentcoalition.org/handbook/cal...
September 22, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Public records belong to the public. Your tax dollars pay for government and you have the right to see what the government is doing. To learn more about the California Public Records Act, download our handbook. firstamendmentcoalition.org/handbook/cal...
Government transparency is not optional. That's why FAC fights every day to ensure access to public records and open meetings. If you have questions about First Amendment protections for freedom of speech and freedom of the press, please contact our legal hotline. bit.ly/FACLegalHotl...
September 19, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Government transparency is not optional. That's why FAC fights every day to ensure access to public records and open meetings. If you have questions about First Amendment protections for freedom of speech and freedom of the press, please contact our legal hotline. bit.ly/FACLegalHotl...
The FCC has no power to arbitrarily silence what a late-night talk show host says
Brendan Carr’s (Chair of the FCC ) suggestion otherwise is part of an alarming pattern of the government threatening sanctions for speech clearly protected under the First Amendment.
Brendan Carr’s (Chair of the FCC ) suggestion otherwise is part of an alarming pattern of the government threatening sanctions for speech clearly protected under the First Amendment.
September 19, 2025 at 12:33 AM
The FCC has no power to arbitrarily silence what a late-night talk show host says
Brendan Carr’s (Chair of the FCC ) suggestion otherwise is part of an alarming pattern of the government threatening sanctions for speech clearly protected under the First Amendment.
Brendan Carr’s (Chair of the FCC ) suggestion otherwise is part of an alarming pattern of the government threatening sanctions for speech clearly protected under the First Amendment.
Our democracy relies on a free press. When journalists are silenced or threatened, democracy suffers. If you have questions about First Amendment protections for freedom of speech and freedom of the press, please reach out via our legal hotline.
firstamendmentcoalition.org/legal-hotline/
firstamendmentcoalition.org/legal-hotline/
September 18, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Our democracy relies on a free press. When journalists are silenced or threatened, democracy suffers. If you have questions about First Amendment protections for freedom of speech and freedom of the press, please reach out via our legal hotline.
firstamendmentcoalition.org/legal-hotline/
firstamendmentcoalition.org/legal-hotline/
The First Amendment protects your right to document public officials in public spaces. If you have questions about your First Amendment protections for freedom of speech, please contact our legal hotline. firstamendmentcoalition.org/legal-hotline/
September 17, 2025 at 4:59 PM
The First Amendment protects your right to document public officials in public spaces. If you have questions about your First Amendment protections for freedom of speech, please contact our legal hotline. firstamendmentcoalition.org/legal-hotline/
WIN! A federal court has granted a preliminary injunction in our case against the City of LA for violating reporters' rights as they tried to cover protests against immigration operations in L.A. in June. firstamendmentcoalition.org/news/post/co...
September 12, 2025 at 4:59 PM
WIN! A federal court has granted a preliminary injunction in our case against the City of LA for violating reporters' rights as they tried to cover protests against immigration operations in L.A. in June. firstamendmentcoalition.org/news/post/co...
Are closed-door govt deals affecting your community? Join us Mon. 9/15 at 5:30pm PT in SF for a conversation w/FAC's David Snyder & author Miranda Spivack. They will be discussing how communities are fighting back against state & local govt malfeasance. Save $5 w/code FAC5. bit.ly/BackroomDeals
September 8, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Are closed-door govt deals affecting your community? Join us Mon. 9/15 at 5:30pm PT in SF for a conversation w/FAC's David Snyder & author Miranda Spivack. They will be discussing how communities are fighting back against state & local govt malfeasance. Save $5 w/code FAC5. bit.ly/BackroomDeals
Join us Monday, September 15th at 5:30pm in San Francisco for a conversation with FAC Executive Director David Snyder and Miranda Spivack. They will be discussing Miranda's book: “Backroom Deals in Our Backyards,” a groundbreaking look at how ordinary people are fighting back against 1/3
September 2, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Join us Monday, September 15th at 5:30pm in San Francisco for a conversation with FAC Executive Director David Snyder and Miranda Spivack. They will be discussing Miranda's book: “Backroom Deals in Our Backyards,” a groundbreaking look at how ordinary people are fighting back against 1/3
Did you know that public officials' work emails are public records? When they conduct government business, citizens have the right to see those communications - with limited exceptions. You can request email records via the California Public Records Act (CPRA). CPRA Handbook: buff.ly/jjFejhz
August 29, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Did you know that public officials' work emails are public records? When they conduct government business, citizens have the right to see those communications - with limited exceptions. You can request email records via the California Public Records Act (CPRA). CPRA Handbook: buff.ly/jjFejhz
California's Shield Law protects journalists from being forced to reveal confidential sources. This protection is essential for investigative reporting that holds power accountable. Contact our legal hotline for additional information.
firstamendmentcoalition.org/legal-hotline/
firstamendmentcoalition.org/legal-hotline/
August 27, 2025 at 4:59 PM
California's Shield Law protects journalists from being forced to reveal confidential sources. This protection is essential for investigative reporting that holds power accountable. Contact our legal hotline for additional information.
firstamendmentcoalition.org/legal-hotline/
firstamendmentcoalition.org/legal-hotline/
Is your local goverment meeting in secret? The Brown Act requires California government meetings to be open to the public. You have the right to attend, observe, and speak during public comment periods.
August 21, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Is your local goverment meeting in secret? The Brown Act requires California government meetings to be open to the public. You have the right to attend, observe, and speak during public comment periods.
Our Asked & Answered database contains responses to real questions from Legal Hotline users. Search by topic to find answers to your government access questions.
firstamendmentcoalition.org/resources/as...
firstamendmentcoalition.org/resources/as...
August 19, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Our Asked & Answered database contains responses to real questions from Legal Hotline users. Search by topic to find answers to your government access questions.
firstamendmentcoalition.org/resources/as...
firstamendmentcoalition.org/resources/as...
“Deleting previously posted comments is the essence of censorship,” @davidloy.bsky.social tells @voiceofoc.bsky.social after Orange County Fair officials deleted some comments and then shut down commenting after remarks about the price of parking were getting "rude."
voiceofoc.org/2025/08/oc-f...
voiceofoc.org/2025/08/oc-f...
August 12, 2025 at 4:59 PM
“Deleting previously posted comments is the essence of censorship,” @davidloy.bsky.social tells @voiceofoc.bsky.social after Orange County Fair officials deleted some comments and then shut down commenting after remarks about the price of parking were getting "rude."
voiceofoc.org/2025/08/oc-f...
voiceofoc.org/2025/08/oc-f...
Part 3 - How long do you have to wait to receive records requested through the California Public Records Act? The California Public Records Act (CPRA) states the agency generally has to give an initial response within 10 days of your request under most circumstances;
August 2, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Part 3 - How long do you have to wait to receive records requested through the California Public Records Act? The California Public Records Act (CPRA) states the agency generally has to give an initial response within 10 days of your request under most circumstances;