by John McCosh | Jun 21, 2025 | News
Updated Oct. 6, 2025 Mario Guevara, an Emmy-winning Spanish-language reporter who covered immigration in Georgia, was deported on Oct. 3 after being held by law enforcement for more than 100 days. Guevara was the only known journalist detained by ICE on U.S. soil. The...
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 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...
by K B | Apr 30, 2024 | Attorneys, News
At issue: What is lawful public access to records held by individuals who are both contractors for and employees of a government agency? The Supreme Court of Georgia is reviewing a lower court ruling that, as it stands, diminishes Georgians’ power to seek public...
by K B | Apr 28, 2024 | News, Resources
ATLANTA – The Georgia First Amendment Foundation (“GFAF”) is concerned about law enforcement’s use of pepper balls and tear gas against protestors at Emory University and about reports of police interference with journalists covering the protests. Speech and assembly...
