by K B | Jun 26, 2025 | Attorneys, News
By Clare Norins & Joy Ramsingh As the Georgia Legislature recognizes, “open government is essential to a free, open, and democratic society.” OCGA 15-18-70(a). In many ways, Georgia prioritizes open government. For instance, the state Open Records Act requires an...
by John McCosh | Jun 21, 2025 | News
This post has been updated to reflect that on July 1, 2025 an immigration judge in Georgia granted bail and ordered the release of Georgia journalist Mario Guevara. The Georgia First Amendment Foundation is joining the Committee to Protect Journalists and a coalition...
by K B | Apr 4, 2025 | Legislative Watch, News
State transparency laws remain strong, protecting the public’s right to know about crucial crime, policing and legislative information. The Georgia First Amendment Foundation is pleased that lawmakers passed Senate Bill 12 in its original form, shedding...
by K B | Mar 30, 2025 | Legislative Watch
Fast-moving Senate Bill 27 tramples on First Amendment rights and still won’t stop exposure of personally identifying information By Harsh Patel No one – whether they are a private figure or a public official – wants to be harassed online with their private...
by K B | Mar 30, 2025 | Legislative Watch, News
Senate Bill 74 threatens roles and responsibilities of busier-than-ever public library workers By Adoris M. Gibbs Georgians have access to a public library in every county in the state, adding up to more than 400 public library branches. In 2024, Georgia’s library...
by K B | Mar 20, 2025 | Legislative Watch, News
GFAF’s letter of concern to lawmakers explains how people could be criminally charged for sharing information that’s already public. Threats and harassment, particularly those enabled by the anonymity of social media, are real and serious concerns in Georgia and...
by K B | Sep 18, 2024 | Attorneys, News
When a police officer stops a car, enters a private home, detains someone in public or otherwise acts for the first time in a matter of police business, that action is, under law, recorded in an initial police report. And that initial report is, under law, accessible...
by K B | Sep 10, 2024 | Events, News, Weltner Award
GFAF award celebrating open government, free speech will be presented Oct. 21. Freedom of information is at the heart of Sally Bethea’s environmental advocacy. As the first Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, Bethea relied on government records, meetings and proceedings...
by K B | Aug 13, 2024 | Attorneys, News
The high court’s Aug. 13 decision is a victory for government transparency in our state. The Supreme Court of Georgia has unanimously reaffirmed that Georgians have the right to demand public records from a government agency’s private contractors. The high...
by K B | May 14, 2024 | Uncategorized
The Georgia First Amendment Foundation is very disappointed in the University of Georgia’s decision to stop providing direct advocacy and representation to Georgia journalists and citizens asserting their rights under the state Open Records Act and Open Meetings...
