Brechner News

Frank LoMonte, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Brechner Center for Freedom of Information director, offers a “pro” position on the First Amendment and conspiracy theories in “Conspiracy Theories” published in CQ Researcher. LoMonte states that the numbing bombardment of hateful speech polluting our public discourse understandably tempts…

Private employers of all kinds, including universities, commonly forbid their employees from discussing work-related matters with journalists without prior approval. But a new analysis by Brechner Center researchers finds that broadly worded workplace “gag orders” are likely invalid and unenforceable under federal labor law. In an article for The Journal…

Frank LoMonte, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Brechner Center for Freedom of Information director, is the author “How Communities Can Increase Civic Engagement by Protecting Their Student Journalists’ Rights to Express Themselves” published in the Brown University Journal, “Reimagining a 21st Century Democracy,” Volume 1, 2018. In the…

Frank LoMonte, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Brechner Center for Freedom of Information director,  is the author of “Mitch Daniels’ Dystopian Nightmare” published in Medium on Aug. 15.​ LoMonte responded to an Aug. 13 Washington Post opinion column written by Purdue University President Mitch Daniels. In the…

Frank LoMonte, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Brechner Center for Freedom of Information director, was quoted in “#317 – Making Access to Public Records a Public Priority” published on itsalljournalism.com on Aug. 2. The article focuses on how to get the average person to care about open…

Frank LoMonte, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Brechner Center for Freedom of Information director, was quoted in “Campus Newsrooms Rethink Their Approach to Race” published in The Christian Science Monitor on July 25. The article focuses on how student newspapers are now leading the effort to bring…

Frank LoMonte, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Brechner Center for Freedom of Information director, is the author of the opinion piece, “Who’s Willing to Bet that State Lotteries are Free of Manipulation?,” published in The Washington Post on June 12. In the article, LoMonte raises the concern…

Responding to high-profile cases in which law enforcement agencies’ failure to timely inform the public about police shootings and aggravated public distrust, the Brechner Center for Freedom of Information is issuing guidelines for agencies to consider in informing the public when officers use force. The report, “Transparency and Media Relations…

Frank LoMonte, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Brechner Center for Freedom of Information director, was the quoted in “Does Morgan Freeman Have a Defamation Case Against CNN for Misconduct Story?” published on TheWrap on May 30. The article focuses on Morgan Freeman’s claim that CNN committed “journalistic…

In a case reminiscent of the dispute over President Trump’s blocking of critics from his Twitter feed, UF’s Brechner Center for Freedom of Information and Marion B. Brechner First Amendment Project are supporting the free-speech case of a Texas police critic who was forbidden from posting to the Facebook page…

Frank LoMonte, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Brechner Center for Freedom of Information director, was the co-author of “Don’t Expect Professors to Get Fired When They Say Something You Don’t Like” published in The Conversation on May 7. In the article, LoMonte and co-author David Jadon, a…

Frank LoMonte, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Brechner Center for Freedom of Information director, was the author of “Beyond the Hashtag: Saving Student Newsrooms” published on Medium on April 25. LoMonte discusses the UF-born #SaveStudentNewsrooms awareness campaign created in response to First Amendment issues at U.S. colleges…