GFAF in the News - Georgia First Amendment Foundation

Contending that Georgia’s new voting law “has imposed new and dangerous restrictions on news gathering that threaten the ability of the public and press to remain informed about Georgia elections,” GFAF in late June filed a friend-of-the-court brief in a case examining the law. In an order issued Aug. 20, a federal judge in Atlanta ruled the law’s ban on photographing ballots was unconstitutional. The judge allowed other parts of the law to stand, despite First Amendment arguments. Read news coverage of the ruling in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Photo courtesy of Casey Sykes/AJC. The Georgia First Amendment Foundation is a resource to media organizations throughout Georgia. Here are some of the latest news stories featuring GFAF sources. To request information or an interview, please contact us at info@gfaf.org.

2021

2020

December

WSB-TV: City of Atlanta refuses to answer whether it was impacted by massive computer attack Clayton Crescent: Forest Park council, boards vote to upgrade meeting livestreams

See GFAF’s letter of support for greater public access to Forest Park government meetings.

Reason: Heckler’s veto: $1.5 million nuisance verdict against abortion clinic, chiefly based on actions of protesters and arsonists WSB-TV: Ga. Board of Education withholds information on spending irregularities a year after report is complete

November

Reporter Newspapers: As Civic Dinners booms, some question diversity, open meetings issues Washington Post: Robin Kemp lost her news job in Clayton County — but she kept reporting the news. It paid off on election week.

October

East Cobb News: Cobb school board returns to in-person meetings Center Square Georgia: Cost can be high to obtain public records in Georgia

September

AJC: Public comment cut from live Cobb school board meeting again AJC: Georgia demands $22,434 for COVID-19 records, says they’ll be ready next spring

August

Augusta Chronicle: Augusta officials call, cancel CARES Act meeting WSB-TV: Texts suggest former Johns Creek police chief held out for larger settlement to leave department AJC: Cobb schools cut public comments from live, virtual meeting AJC: Georgia keeps key virus information from public AJC: With few details, DeKalb Schools approves contract to ease crowding

July

Reporter Newspapers: Buckhead Coalition rethinks its mission Valdosta Daily Times: County hides behind closed doors Georgia Health News: Health agency stalling on requests for COVID-19 emails, critics say Publication of commentary First Amendment rights spark justice and seed change in Georgia

June

Augusta Chronicle: Augusta attorney ‘frustrated’ release of husband’s deleted emails seeking city work Valdosta Daily Times: Disclose health data clearly Athens Banner-Herald: State COVID data ‘opaque’ as infections rise in Georgia Georgia Public Broadcasting: Experts say Georgia’s data on COVID-19 seems lacking Valdosta Daily Times: Law enforcement detains two journalists covering Atlanta protests

May

Georgia Recorder: Middle Georgia federal court affirms right to record in public spaces WMAZ: Citizen journalist says he was arrested for filming in city hall lobby

See the U.S. District Court order and GFAF’s friend-of-the-court brief supporting citizens’ and journalists’ right to film peacefully in public spaces without interference by law enforcement.