Brechner News

The University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications announced on Feb. 21 that David Cuillier has been named director of the Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Project. He will join the College on July 1, 2023. The Freedom of Information Project is part of a newly named Brechner Center…

Student journalists across the U.S. are raising awareness of the challenges they face, celebrate their contributions, and take action to protect and restore their First Amendment freedoms.

The Brechner Center for Freedom of Information today announced that the entry period for the 2023 Brechner Center for Freedom of Information Award, recognizing excellence in news reporting across all media platforms that was aired or published during 2022. Applications are due March 1, 2023, and there is no fee…

The second season focuses on secrecy in the criminal justice system and on the ways that government agencies fail to gather and share information essential for public safety and welfare.

The award-winning journalist discussed his use of FOIA at the front end of his newsgathering process, while cultivating sources that can shed light on situations uncovered through the released documents.

Frank LoMonte, former University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Brechner Center for Freedom of Information director, received the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Washington, D.C. Pro Chapter 2022 Distinguished Service in Local Journalism Award at the chapter’s 2022 Dateline Awards and Hall of Fame dinner on June 14. LoMonte, currently legal…

Sara Ganim, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Brechner Center for Freedom of Information Hearst Journalism Fellow and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, is the host and producer of “’Gag Order’ Against Sexual Assault,” the latest episode of “What Don’t We Know” recorded at SXSW EDU in Austin and posted…

The Brechner Center for Freedom of Information at the University of Florida announced today the winners of the 2021-2022 Journal of Civic Information Law School Writing Competition. The honors include $2,000 and $1,000 first and second place cash prizes, respectively, and the opportunity to publish in the Journal of Civic…

Reporters Hannah Dreier and Andrew Ba Tran won for their coverage of hidden inequities in the way FEMA administers aid to victims of national disasters.

Frank LoMonte, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Brechner Center for Freedom of Information director, is quoted in “WRAL Investigates: Payments Now Legal to College Athletes, But They’re Still Hidden” posted on wral.com on Feb. 28. The article focuses on the ability of student-athletes to make money off their name, image…

Entries are now open for the 2022 Brechner Center for Freedom of Information Award, recognizing excellence in news reporting across all media platforms that was aired or published during 2021. The $3,000 cash award seeks to reward journalism published by a U.S.-based news organization, or collaborative of organizations, that advances…

Frank LoMonte, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (UFCJC) Brechner Center for Freedom of Information director, joined CNN in Atlanta on Feb. 1 as a new counsel. He joined the Brechner Center as director in 2017 after serving for 10 years as executive director of the Student Press Law Center in…