Brechner Freedom of Information Project

The Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Project at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications, in partnership with MuckRock, has named the winners of the inaugural Sunshine Fest 2025 Logo and Slogan Contest. Sunshine Fest will honor the 20th anniversary of Sunshine Week, March 16- 22, 2025,…

A recent study published in the Journal for Research in Applied Sciences and Biotechnology examined how government efficiency, transparency, and accountability in Afghanistan can enhance entrepreneurship. Researchers analyzed World Bank data and found that governments whose practices focus on improving efficiency, reducing corruption, and promoting transparency foster a more vibrant…

A proposed change to Virginia’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) has hit a roadblock after concerns raised by Fairfax County officials prompted state lawmakers to reconsider the bill. According to reporting from FFX Now, the measure, which aims to enhance transparency in local government decision-making, passed the Virginia Senate unanimously…

Nominations are now open for the 2025 Student Freedom of Information Award, presented by the Student Press Law Center and sponsored by the Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Project at the University of Florida. The award honors students or student teams whose investigative reporting has promoted transparency and highlighted…

After more than three decades of resolving disputes over public access to records, the Utah Legislature may soon consider a bill that would dismantle the State Records Committee.  According to reporting from the Salt Lake Tribune, Utah Senate Majority Assistant Whip Mike McKell is working on a proposal that could…

A recent survey of 2,500 U.S. city department heads suggests that there are varying attitudes toward public data transparency nationally.   Published in the latest issue of the Government Information Quarterly, the survey, led by Mary Feeney of Arizona State University, found that city department heads were generally in favor of releasing…

A new bill is making its way through the Wisconsin State Legislature that could bring the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) under the state’s public records and open meetings laws.  According to reporting from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, State Rep. Cindi Duchow and Sen. Cory Tomczyk are co-sponsoring the legislation,…

The Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Project at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (UFCJC) launched today a national Secrecy Tracker to help identify legislation that threatens the public’s access to government records and meetings.  The tool allows anyone for free to see what bills are…

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, has signaled that expanding the state’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to include top government offices is not a priority for him.   Michigan is one of only two states that fully exempts the governor and lawmakers from public records requests. …

A recent study published in Regulation & Governance found that German states that require government agencies to be proactive and helpful in providing records to the public are more likely to respond better to public record requests.  The study looked at over 100,000 public records requests submitted to more than…

In a recent article in the Emory Law Journal, law student Maranda Johnston critiques the growing use of trade secret exemptions by private companies to withhold vital information from the public. These exemptions, she argues, allow companies to avoid transparency and scrutiny, even when the information they possess could be…

House Bill 100 proposed in the Montana Legislature sounds good on the surface, touted as streamlining the process. But the details indicate otherwise.  The legislative sponsors say the legislation will help set deadlines and fees. However, based on our research, several key provisions of the bill would make access to…