Brechner News

Posted: April 4, 2018

Frank LoMonte, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Brechner Center for Freedom of Information director, was quoted in “Clear Backpacks Another Target in the Widening War on Kids,” published in the Sun-Sentinel on April 3. The article focuses on a survey asking people to weigh in on whether clear backpacks at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School would be an effective safety measure. Survey responses were mixed, citing both safety and privacy concerns. “You don’t have zero privacy in school,” said LoMonte “As with many constitutional issues, the devil is going to be in the details and how it’s…

Category: Brechner News
Tagged as: Brechner Center for Freedom of Information, Frank LoMonte, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Sun-Sentinel

Posted: April 3, 2018

The Joseph L. Brechner Center for Freedom of Information announced that Bethany Barnes, education reporter at The Oregonian in Portland, is the winner of the annual Brechner Freedom of Information Award. Barnes won for her dogged coverage of teacher sexual misconduct in Portland schools, which required her to battle repeatedly for access to records that the district fought to conceal. Her work played a role in the school district reevaluating its entire public-records policy. The Brechner Center Award recognizes excellence in reporting about freedom of information, access to government-held information or the First Amendment. The award, which includes a $3,000…

Category: Brechner News
Tagged as: Bethany Barnes, Brechner Freedom of Information Award, Joseph L Brechner Center for Freedom of Information, The Oregonian

Posted: December 12, 2017

Frank LoMonte, director of the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Brechner Center for Freedom of Information was quoted in “Criminal Charges Rare in Public Records Violations” published in the Palm Beach Post on Dec. 8. The article focuses on the lack of criminal charges against public officials for violating open records laws in Florida. “It’s very challenging to get a prosecutor to take an open records violation seriously as a criminal offense because violations are so habitual and routine, it’s like trying to put someone in jail for driving over 55 mph on the highway,” said LoMonte.…

Category: Brechner News
Tagged as: Brechner Center for Freedom of Information, Frank LoMonte, Palm Beach Post

Posted: December 12, 2017

Frank LoMonte, director of the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Brechner Center for Freedom of Information, is the author of “A Free Press Shouldn’t Stop at the Schoolyard” published on CNN’s new special section featuring opinions on press freedom. In the article, LoMonte argues the case for protecting press freedom in schools isn’t just about training future journalists. It’s about developing inquisitive, participatory citizens willing to ask the hard questions of government authorities that involved citizenship demands. He states that the erosion of First Amendment values will be reversed only when schools reopen their doors to the…

Category: Brechner News
Tagged as: Brechner Center for Freedom of Information, CNN, Frank LoMonte

Posted: November 1, 2017

Frank LoMonte, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Brechner Center for Freedom of Information director, is being honored by the College Media Association (CMA) with a new award in his name — the Frank LoMonte Ethics in Journalism Award. The Frank LoMonte Award will honor journalists, advisers or news organizations that perform in an outstanding ethical manner demonstrating the ideals of CMA’s Code of Ethical Behavior. It may also honor especially notable efforts to educate the public on principles embodied in the code or hold journalists ethically accountable for their behavior. CMA, the nation’s largest organization dedicated to…

Category: Uncategorized
Tagged as: Brechner Center for Freedom of Information, College Media Association, Franke LoMonte

Posted: October 31, 2017

Frank LoMonte, director of the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Brechner Center for Freedom of Information, is the author of “No, Schools Can’t Punish Student-Athletes for Taking a Knee” published on the Education Week website on Oct. 23. LoMonte comments on the current trend of student-athletes taking a knee during the national anthem. He argues that this silent act of political protest often results in punishment for the athlete, but this is a clear violation of the First Amendment. He states that a government agency cannot take official action in response to constitutionally protected political expression with…

Category: Uncategorized
Tagged as: Brechner Center for Freedom of Information, Education Week, Frank LoMonte, OregonLIve, The Oregonian

Posted: October 31, 2017

Frank LoMonte, director of the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Brechner Center for Freedom of Information was featured in “GUEST COLUMNISTS: Take a Stand or Take a Knee? Two Attorneys Weigh In on Divisive Issue” published in the Marietta (Ga.) Daily Journal on Oct. 14. In the article, LoMonte is one of two attorneys offering their opinions on the recent controversy regarding athletes taking a knee during the national anthem. He asserts that students’ right to engage in silent political protests – even on school grounds during school times – has been firmly established for nearly 50…

Category: Uncategorized
Tagged as: Brechner Center for Freedom of Information, Frank LoMonte, Marietta Daily Journal

Posted: October 31, 2017

Frank LoMonte, director of the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Brechner Center for Freedom of Information, commented in “Mom Says Her 6-Year-Old Son Was Silenced by a Teacher After He Knelt for the Pledge of Allegiance” published in the Tampa Bay Times on Sept. 27. LoMonte remarks on the treatment of a 6-year-old first grader after he had taken a knee while his class recited the Pledge of Allegiance. “The line that the Supreme Court has drawn is where your speech or conduct substantially disrupts the operation of school,” said LoMonte. “A very young child probably thinks…

Category: Brechner News, Uncategorized
Tagged as: Brechner Center for Freedom of Information, Frank LoMonte, Tampa Bay Times, The 74

Posted: October 31, 2017

Frank LoMonte, director of the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Brechner Center for Freedom of Information was quoted in “FOI Flip: Agencies Sting Record Requesters, Especially Students, Through Reverse FOIAs” published in The FOI Files Third Quarter 2017 edition. In the article, LoMonte comments on the trend among state and local agencies as well as universities to chill record requests through “reverse FOIAs.” A “reverse FOIA” can delay receipt of the requested records and some entities are filing lawsuits to interfere with the process. “It’s especially frightening for a student publication or freelancer without deep pockets,” LoMonte…

Category: Uncategorized
Tagged as: Brechner Center for Freedom of Information, FOIA, Frank LoMonte

Posted: October 31, 2017

Frank LoMonte, director of the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Brechner Center for Freedom of Information, authored the column “Student Journalists Deserve More Protection” published in the Tampa Bay Times on Sept. 27. In the column, LoMonte comments on decreasing newsroom employment and the increasing number of students filling these positions, in particular the UF student journalists who contributed to Hurricane Irma coverage for the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network (FPREN). He asserts that journalism students work as peers or on par with salaried professionals in newsrooms. However, in Florida, unpaid journalists do not benefit from “reporter’s…

Category: Uncategorized
Tagged as: Brechner Center for Freedom of Information, Frank LoMonte

Posted: October 31, 2017

Frank LoMonte, director of the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Brechner Center for Freedom of Information was quoted in “A Nationwide Movement Protecting the Student Press from Censorship Gaines Momentum” published in the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press on Sept. 8. The article focuses on the building popularity of laws designed to protect student press from censorship by school officials. Now the American Bar Association has lent its support to the cause by supporting the New Voices Act that became law in North Dakota in 2015. New Voices is led by The Student Press Law…

Category: Uncategorized
Tagged as: Brechner Center for Freedom of Information, Frank LoMonte, New Voices Act, SPLC

Posted: October 31, 2017

Frank LoMonte, director of the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Brechner Center for Freedom of Information, commented in “Tennessee’s Two Largest Districts Defy State Order to Share Student Info with Charters” published in Chalkbeat on Aug. 28. Memphis and Nashville school leaders are digging in their heels against a state order to release public information about their students to state-run charter schools. LoMonte comments on an untested federal rule that allows school districts to limit who can obtain student directory information and why. He argues that the rule, amended in 2011, contradicts public record laws but has…

Category: Uncategorized
Tagged as: Brechner Center for Freedom of Information, Frank LoMonte