Frank LoMonte
@franklomonte.bsky.social
Giving people advice on FOIA and, occasionally, getting paid for it
Reposted by Frank LoMonte
The Student Press Law Center's Gary Green spoke with @jaketapper.bsky.social @cnn.com last night about the ongoing student media censorship issues at Indiana University and how student journalism everywhere is under attack. youtu.be/ePWmW3NnHJ8
Student Press Law Center discusses Indiana University's Censorship with CNN's Jake Tapper
YouTube video by Student Press Law Center
youtu.be
October 22, 2025 at 5:15 PM
The Student Press Law Center's Gary Green spoke with @jaketapper.bsky.social @cnn.com last night about the ongoing student media censorship issues at Indiana University and how student journalism everywhere is under attack. youtu.be/ePWmW3NnHJ8
There are some very good professional people working in the field of government PR. And then there are those like the Louisville mayor's PIO, who give the profession a bad name. www.lpm.org/investigate/...
Louisville mayor’s spokesperson lambasts local reporter
The mayor’s spokesperson recently lashed out at a local reporter for asking questions. Press freedom experts say it’s part of a growing trend.
www.lpm.org
August 22, 2025 at 11:58 PM
There are some very good professional people working in the field of government PR. And then there are those like the Louisville mayor's PIO, who give the profession a bad name. www.lpm.org/investigate/...
Facing a likely defeat in a First Amendment lawsuit, Florida town suspends enforcement of a gag rule that forbade municipal employees from saying anything to the press without permission, under penalty of discipline. kbindependent.org/2025/08/18/k...
Key Biscayne suspends gag order policy - Key Biscayne Independent
Share articleThe Village of Key Biscayne has suspended its media policy that prohibited employees from speaking to journalists without prior approval or face disciplinary action. Village spokeswoman J...
kbindependent.org
August 20, 2025 at 3:39 AM
Facing a likely defeat in a First Amendment lawsuit, Florida town suspends enforcement of a gag rule that forbade municipal employees from saying anything to the press without permission, under penalty of discipline. kbindependent.org/2025/08/18/k...
Reposted by Frank LoMonte
“This is the most massive secrecy grab in Texas since the adoption of the Public Information Act.”
New today from @michellepitcher.bsky.social: A move to "standardize" police personnel files could have devastating consequences for transparency.
New today from @michellepitcher.bsky.social: A move to "standardize" police personnel files could have devastating consequences for transparency.
Texas Lawmakers Push ‘Massive Secrecy Grab’ to Shield Police Files
As public attention has shifted away from policing reform, legislators attempt to shove information into the dark.
www.texasobserver.org
August 13, 2025 at 6:32 PM
“This is the most massive secrecy grab in Texas since the adoption of the Public Information Act.”
New today from @michellepitcher.bsky.social: A move to "standardize" police personnel files could have devastating consequences for transparency.
New today from @michellepitcher.bsky.social: A move to "standardize" police personnel files could have devastating consequences for transparency.
Reposted by Frank LoMonte
Following an exodus of several senior employees from state Superintendent Ryan Walters’ administration, the Oklahoma State Department of Education is now refusing to release records explaining the departures.
After string of staff departures, Oklahoma Education Department keeps resignation records secret • Oklahoma Voice
The Oklahoma State Department of Education refused to provide resignation letters of several senior employees who left the agency.
buff.ly
July 18, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Following an exodus of several senior employees from state Superintendent Ryan Walters’ administration, the Oklahoma State Department of Education is now refusing to release records explaining the departures.
Reposted by Frank LoMonte
Grateful to have this chance to write with Karen Rundlet of @inn.org about the state of Local News and the #PressForward coalition of funders and those we are able to support.
New on our Philanthropy Innovation Summit blog, @palfrey.org of @macfound.org and Karen Rundlet of @inn.org discuss their efforts to strengthen local news through the #PressForward coalition and call on fellow funders to join the movement to support quality independent #journalism.
Whatever your first issue is, this should be your second: The rationale for funding local news - Stanford PACS
In the philanthropic sector, we’re used to funding public goods like emergency response, education, government accountability and the arts. What many of us have failed to see, however, is the vital ro...
pacscenter.stanford.edu
July 15, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Grateful to have this chance to write with Karen Rundlet of @inn.org about the state of Local News and the #PressForward coalition of funders and those we are able to support.
Reposted by Frank LoMonte
The Minnesota assassination is spurring a wave of state bills intended to protect elected officials.
However, the measures are facing sharp criticism from press freedom and government watchdog organizations, which say the bills could be used to keep the public in the dark.
However, the measures are facing sharp criticism from press freedom and government watchdog organizations, which say the bills could be used to keep the public in the dark.
Minnesota assassination spurs wave of state bills to protect elected officials
The push to shield lawmakers’ personal information from prying eyes is drawing concerns about public transparency.
www.politico.com
July 19, 2025 at 4:09 PM
The Minnesota assassination is spurring a wave of state bills intended to protect elected officials.
However, the measures are facing sharp criticism from press freedom and government watchdog organizations, which say the bills could be used to keep the public in the dark.
However, the measures are facing sharp criticism from press freedom and government watchdog organizations, which say the bills could be used to keep the public in the dark.
Reposted by Frank LoMonte
NEW: More details about what led to Thursday’s surprise announcement that MARTA’s GM/CEO was stepping down www.ajc.com/news/2025/07...
Departure of MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood seen as chance for new start
Supporters and critics agree: Issues with MARTA’s service, cleanliness and safety have been mounting for months.
www.ajc.com
July 19, 2025 at 11:52 AM
NEW: More details about what led to Thursday’s surprise announcement that MARTA’s GM/CEO was stepping down www.ajc.com/news/2025/07...
Reposted by Frank LoMonte
The CPD committed to releasing “merit” promotion lists in 2017. Now, the city claims doing so would be an invasion of privacy. | ✍️ Rachel Heimann Mercader and Sam Stecklow at @invisible.institute
Chicago keeps controversial police promotion list secret - Chicago Reader
The CPD committed to releasing “merit” promotion lists in 2017. Now, the city claims it would be an invasion of privacy.
chicagoreader.com
July 9, 2025 at 12:17 AM
The CPD committed to releasing “merit” promotion lists in 2017. Now, the city claims doing so would be an invasion of privacy. | ✍️ Rachel Heimann Mercader and Sam Stecklow at @invisible.institute
A sweetheart FOIA exemption for NIL agreements snuck through the North Carolina legislature and was just signed into law. www.essentiallysports.com/ncaa-college...
What North Carolina’s New NIL Law Means for Public Records, Athlete Contracts, and Agent Rules
North Carolina just flipped the script on NIL transparency. Here’s what the new law means for athletes, agents, and access.
www.essentiallysports.com
July 3, 2025 at 6:13 PM
A sweetheart FOIA exemption for NIL agreements snuck through the North Carolina legislature and was just signed into law. www.essentiallysports.com/ncaa-college...
We don't have "secret police" in America -- except on private university campuses, where law enforcement agencies insist they are exempt from FOI laws despite often exercising the same powers as city police. A new lawsuit is challenging the secrecy. www.browndailyherald.com/article/2025...
Brown University police department sued over exemption from RI public records law
A University spokesperson said Brown was prepared to “mount a strong effort” defending its exemption from the APRA.
www.browndailyherald.com
June 5, 2025 at 1:19 PM
We don't have "secret police" in America -- except on private university campuses, where law enforcement agencies insist they are exempt from FOI laws despite often exercising the same powers as city police. A new lawsuit is challenging the secrecy. www.browndailyherald.com/article/2025...
A First Amendment lawsuit to watch, significant for the rights of all public employees: A University of Kansas student housing worker was fired for giving an "unauthorized" interview to the news media, violating KU's (unconstitutional) "media gag" rule. www.kansan.com/news/former-...
Former KU Housing proctor files lawsuit against University
Former GP Proctor Anthony Alvarez has filed a lawsuit against University of Kansas alleged his rights to free speech and due process were violated.
www.kansan.com
May 31, 2025 at 2:11 PM
A First Amendment lawsuit to watch, significant for the rights of all public employees: A University of Kansas student housing worker was fired for giving an "unauthorized" interview to the news media, violating KU's (unconstitutional) "media gag" rule. www.kansan.com/news/former-...
Reposted by Frank LoMonte
“If your principal is the editor of the paper, it’s not a student newspaper….It’s a public relations sort of newsletter.” www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
Their school can censor the student press. They are trying to change that.
Student journalists at Alexandria City High School want the school system to change a policy allowing their principal to review stories before publication.
www.washingtonpost.com
May 10, 2025 at 5:08 PM
“If your principal is the editor of the paper, it’s not a student newspaper….It’s a public relations sort of newsletter.” www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
Reposted by Frank LoMonte
My Monday Reliable Sources column about America needing a civics refresher — and the media needing to incorporate some Constitution 101 into day-to-day news coverage — resonated with many readers. Here are some of the responses >>> cnn.it/4kfRF83
May 9, 2025 at 10:19 PM
My Monday Reliable Sources column about America needing a civics refresher — and the media needing to incorporate some Constitution 101 into day-to-day news coverage — resonated with many readers. Here are some of the responses >>> cnn.it/4kfRF83
Reposted by Frank LoMonte
“I’ve been doing this work for 34 years…and I don’t remember ever seeing a policy that names the principal, in writing, as the editor of the paper." www.niemanlab.org/2025/05/insi...
Inside a high school newspaper’s fight for editorial independence
The Alexandria, Virginia school board says it wants to “help students grow as journalists." Theogony's student journalists wonder who, exactly, the board is protecting.
www.niemanlab.org
May 8, 2025 at 7:17 PM
“I’ve been doing this work for 34 years…and I don’t remember ever seeing a policy that names the principal, in writing, as the editor of the paper." www.niemanlab.org/2025/05/insi...
There's a troubling weakness undermining state and federal FOI rights: A lack of teeth in records retention laws, meaning that hidebound government officials are essentially free to destroy public records they find unflattering to disclose. digitalcommons.law.seattleu.edu/sulr/vol48/i...
The Race to Erase: Destruction of Government Documents Undermines Freedom-of-Information Laws
In August 2019, reporters with Chattanooga’s daily newspaper, the Times Free Press, filed what seemed to be a routine request for access to emails and other public records held by their local county g...
digitalcommons.law.seattleu.edu
May 8, 2025 at 9:02 PM
There's a troubling weakness undermining state and federal FOI rights: A lack of teeth in records retention laws, meaning that hidebound government officials are essentially free to destroy public records they find unflattering to disclose. digitalcommons.law.seattleu.edu/sulr/vol48/i...
Just out (with the brilliant Rachel Jones): What the struggle for FOIA access to DOGE records says about the gaps in federal transparency law that make it possible for powerful executive-branch entities to operate in secrecy. www.americanbar.org/groups/commu...
Can DOGE Dodge Transparency Laws?
Using the “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) as a case study, this article discusses how requesters can—and sometimes cannot—gain access to the records of agencies attached to the White Hous...
www.americanbar.org
April 28, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Just out (with the brilliant Rachel Jones): What the struggle for FOIA access to DOGE records says about the gaps in federal transparency law that make it possible for powerful executive-branch entities to operate in secrecy. www.americanbar.org/groups/commu...
Just out: Doorbell-cam videos are increasingly a staple of news coverage. Can the homeowner (or anyone) claim copyright ownership of the footage? A "monkey selfie" case tells us, it's doubtful. mississippilawjournal.org/journal-cont...
Does the Name “Naruto” Ring a Bell? The Doubtful Copyright Status of Home Security Camera Videos – Mississippi Law Journal
mississippilawjournal.org
April 14, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Just out: Doorbell-cam videos are increasingly a staple of news coverage. Can the homeowner (or anyone) claim copyright ownership of the footage? A "monkey selfie" case tells us, it's doubtful. mississippilawjournal.org/journal-cont...
Just posted: Why the First Amendment forbids judges from restricting the rebroadcast of livestreamed court proceedings. papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Any Rebroadcast, Retransmission, or Account of this Trial "Any Rebroadcast, Retransmission, or Account of this Trial Without the Express Written Consent of the Judge is Prohibited": Without the Expres...
<p>Courts are notoriously camera-shy institutions. Although the Supreme Court has recognized the essential public nature of trials, photography and videography
papers.ssrn.com
April 11, 2025 at 2:20 AM
Just posted: Why the First Amendment forbids judges from restricting the rebroadcast of livestreamed court proceedings. papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
"Since the 1980s, there has been a surge in federal agencies and many other entities banning employees from speaking to journalists without notifying authorities or public information officers." www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Opinion | What’s going on at HHS?
RFK Jr. has slashed staff, hired a vaccine skeptic to study a debunked link with autism and more.
www.washingtonpost.com
April 10, 2025 at 8:58 PM
"Since the 1980s, there has been a surge in federal agencies and many other entities banning employees from speaking to journalists without notifying authorities or public information officers." www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Reposted by Frank LoMonte
Wasting Away: Rampant pollution caused manatees to starve. Florida waters are getting worse.
Wasting Away: Rampant pollution caused manatees to starve. Florida waters are getting worse.
A Times analysis of millions of water samples found dangerous contamination across the state.
project.tampabay.com
April 4, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Wasting Away: Rampant pollution caused manatees to starve. Florida waters are getting worse.
Imagine if there was low registration for Algebra. Would a school say: "Oh well, guess it's time to cut Algebra, not enough people are interested in it." Hell no, they'd do everything possible to goose up enrollment. Journalism deserves no less. www.centraltimes.org/showcase/202...
Opinion: Cutting Central Times? A slap to student journalists
Due to low enrollment, Blended Advanced Media Lab, Naperville Central’s multimedia journalism class, will not run as an academic class for the 2025-26 school year. This will not only deprive intereste...
www.centraltimes.org
April 1, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Imagine if there was low registration for Algebra. Would a school say: "Oh well, guess it's time to cut Algebra, not enough people are interested in it." Hell no, they'd do everything possible to goose up enrollment. Journalism deserves no less. www.centraltimes.org/showcase/202...
Valuable new research highlights the importance of learning how agencies keep their records BEFORE hitting them with a FOIA request. (Learning agency buzzwords, and incorporating them into the request, seems to improve the chances of success.) www.cjr.org/analysis/foi...
What makes a good FOIA request? We studied 33,000 to find out.
Every journalist has ideas about what makes a good public records request. But surprisingly few people have actually tried to systematically analyze how requests can be written to improve their chance...
www.cjr.org
March 14, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Valuable new research highlights the importance of learning how agencies keep their records BEFORE hitting them with a FOIA request. (Learning agency buzzwords, and incorporating them into the request, seems to improve the chances of success.) www.cjr.org/analysis/foi...
Reposted by Frank LoMonte
“It’s treated like a civil proceeding, but the outcomes are just as serious, if not more serious,” said Cleveland immigration attorney Maya Lugasy. “So, in that sense, it’s not fair. It’s like traffic court with the death penalty.”
Secret arrests, hidden jail rosters, shrouded records: Immigration court lacks the transparency of other courts, experts say
Immigration court cases are entirely different from criminal court proceedings, but the stakes are just as high, experts say.
www.cleveland.com
March 3, 2025 at 1:01 PM
“It’s treated like a civil proceeding, but the outcomes are just as serious, if not more serious,” said Cleveland immigration attorney Maya Lugasy. “So, in that sense, it’s not fair. It’s like traffic court with the death penalty.”
Reposted by Frank LoMonte
On Friday, the Georgia First Amendment Foundation hosted the 34th annual Georgia Bar, Media and Judiciary Conference at the state Georgia Bar HQ in downtown Atlanta.The conference consisted of seven panels that featured Georgia’s best and brightest in the legal, media and judicial fields.
February 23, 2025 at 2:39 AM
On Friday, the Georgia First Amendment Foundation hosted the 34th annual Georgia Bar, Media and Judiciary Conference at the state Georgia Bar HQ in downtown Atlanta.The conference consisted of seven panels that featured Georgia’s best and brightest in the legal, media and judicial fields.