by John McCosh | Sep 17, 2025 | News, Weltner Award
Richard Belcher’s distinguished career as a TV journalist was defined by dogged pursuit of investigative stories bolstered by public records. Over his 50 years of reporting, Belcher consistently broke the big story, digging in when government officials tried to stymie...
by K B | Sep 3, 2025 | News, Weltner Award
Charles Davis has helped loose a small army of journalists holding public officials to account when government strays from Georgia’s Sunshine Laws. Dean of the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication since 2013, Davis ensures...
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
FollowFollowFollowFollowFollow BECOME A MEMBER DONATE About President’s Letter Leadership Resources Government Transparency Guide A Guide to Court Access in Georgia Law Enforcement Transparency Guide Schools Transparency Guide Attorneys Events Weltner Freedom of...
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...
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