Brechner News

Jason Leopold of Bloomberg News wins the 2026 Brechner Freedom of Information Award for his brilliant use of the Freedom of Information Act and efforts to promote the public's right to know through a weekly newsletter and podcast.

Idaho considering resolution system similar to Ohio's small-claims "FOI Court," but the $100 filing fee is a little high for average people, in our opinion.

Top scholars honored in a special Journal of Civic Information research contest focusing on the 60th anniversary of the U.S. Freedom of Information Act.

More than a dozen champions of government transparency will be inducted this March into the National FOIA Hall of Fame for their outstanding contributions to advancing the U.S. Freedom of Information Act.

Sunshine Fest 2026 will celebrate freedom of information March 15-17 in Washington, D.C., with 23 sessions, dozens of expert speakers, and opportunities to network and learn more about access to government information. Coordinated by the Brechner FOI Project, MuckRock, and National Freedom of Information Coalition.

Leading data journalist, educator and trainer Samantha Sunne will coordinate the Brechner FOI Project's national Secrecy Tracker, monitoring legislation across the nation related to public records and open meetings, synthesizing trends, and educating advocates and policy makers.

A new study published in the International Journal of Press/Politics indicates that if journalists cite public records as sources in their news stories then readers will view the stories as more credible and informative than citing other sources, including social media and academic experts. The online experiment with 1,210 U.S.…

A new study published in the Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Project’s Journal of Civic Information examines innovative ways of enforcing public record laws in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Connecticut. The focus of the study, by Mitch McKenney of Kent State University, is on Ohio’s Court of Claims, which set…

The Student Press Law Center and the Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Project are proud to honor Illinois high school journalist Isabelle Leofanti with the 2025 Student Freedom of Information Award. Leofanti, a reporter for Metea Media at Metea Valley High School, investigated the deteriorating conditions of the school’s…

First place in the NFOIC-Brechner FOI Research Competition goes to a Erin Coyle, Logan Molyneux and Alexis Haskell for a survey of journalists regarding their challenges in acquiring public records.

The Student Press Law Center and the Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Project are proud to honor Michigan State University student journalists Alex Walters, Theo Scheer and Owen McCarthy with the 2025 Student Freedom of Information Award. Four other reporting teams were recognized as finalists.

People trying to get public records from their local and state governments find it easier than those seeking federal records, but run into high fees, rudeness and privacy barriers, according to a new study assisted by the Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Project.