Helpful resources for journalists.
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An SPJ special report on a range of access issues. It’s a wonderful primer.
The forum’s First Amendment Center provides an overview, beginning with Branzburg v. Hayes, which cautioned that journalists “have no constitutional right of access to the scenes of crime or disaster when the general public is excluded.”
A special Reporters Committeer eport covering the reporter’s legal right to access to public and private property, with suggestions on what reporters can do.
Reporters Committee
Reporters Committee. A similar report dealing with access to both court proceedings and records, with tips on gaining access.
The Reporters Committee First Amendment Handbook notes that the reporter’s right to access to court proceedings is universally accepted but not absolute. It discusses some of the variables.
The Reporters Committee's state-by-state guide to electronic access to public records.
A review of model guidelines that have been developed for providing electronic access to court records.
SPJ’s state-by state guide on media access to prisons.
RTNDA Some guidelines on what to do when a sports team restricts your access.
A color-coded state-by-state guide to the mix of laws and court regulations.
A brief overview of the struggle to get the courts to open hearings and trials to photo coverage, with citations to leading cases.
Congressional Research Service Reports
CRS Reports Now Posted at Two Online Locations
Reports of the Congressional Research Service, provided at $100 million in annual taxpayer expense to brief members of Congress on current issues but not released to the public, are now available online from two independent sources. The reports can be obtained on request from individual congresspersons. The University of North Texas Libraries, working with a grant from the American Library Association, has posted 6,500 reports dating back to 1990. The Center for Democracy and Technology, working with five public advocacy groups, has put 3,300 reports, and thousands of updates of those reports, on line. (6/28/05)
- University of North Texas Libraries
- Center for Democracy and Technology
A summary of FOI audits done by state coalitions, with links to the detailed reports and relevant state law.
The National Security Archive’s audit of FOIA, with an emphasis on the oldest FOIA requests pending.
Poynter Institute - FOI Bibliography
Poynter has posted a listing of online d FOI resources and a of books on First Amendment and free press issues.
An overview of the federal act adopted in 1966.
DOJ’s Guide to FOIA, updated in May, 2004, provides basic information on how to use FOIA, how to file a request, a list of FOIA officers in each federal department and agency and links to a variety of references.
This is the Justice Department’s newsletter on FOIA issues.
There’s a concise explanation of FOIA and a FOIA request form.
Here is a step-by-step guide and a model FOIA request letter.
- Open Doors primer on access issues
University of Missouri Freedom of Information Center
Model FOIA request letters and links to a variety of FOIA guides.
Society of Environmental Journalists
Tips on using FOIA.
A printer-friendly copy of FOIA and copies of key attorney general memos to agencies on how to implement the act.
Electronic Privacy Information Center
There’s a library of legal challenges to FOIA, and you can download a copy of the Freedom of Information Act.
An excellent guide to using FOIA and aids in drafting a request. There are also research reports on litigation, a list of FOI resources, and a legislative history of FOIA and E-FOIA..
A detailed state by state look at public records and open meetings laws, with information on filing records requests, from the Reporters Committee.
Information on state records laws and on filing FOI requests in various jurisdictions.
Links to state FOI groups, the society's in-state Sunshine Chairs, and information on filing state requests. .
National Freedom of Information Coalition
NFOIC’s member organizations are the various state FOI coalitions. The site links to these and provides information on their activities
Both the Brechner Center and IRE rate and provide information on state laws and practices.
Practical advice on HIPAA in question and answer format.
A medical privacy guide with a sidebar on how to deal with restrictions. There are also case studies.
National Newspaper Association
A one-page briefing report on HIPAA with information on dealing with reluctant sources.
The Freedom Forum’s Paul McMasters looks at the history of FOIA.
A 1997 report by a congressional committee looking at secrecy.
Access to Government Information in the U.S.
A Congressional Research Service report on public access laws.
An overview on open meetings laws.
The Reporters Committee takes a state-by-state look at open meetings laws.
National Security/Government Secrecy
A report in ASNE’s Editor Magazine on the growing secrecy in government and what news organizations are doing in response.
A special report from the Reporters Committee, updated annually and providing a color coded guide to the open government threat levels. RCFP also publishes a daily chronicle, Behind the Homefront, of the impact national security initiatives are having on government transparency.
An NPO that monitors the world of security and examines defense and intelligence related documents as they become public.
A Reporters Committee Report on the secret dockets and secret trials in the federal courts as a result of the Patriot Act and the war on terrorism.
An NPO that monitors a wide range of open government issues.
Federation of American Scientists
One of the most aggressive watchdogs on intelligence, security and secrecy issues. Its Secrecy News reports are the most current you’ll find.
Project On Government Oversight
also closely monitors secrecy issues.
It’s Security v. Open Records page points to a number of reports on the topic.
Project on Government Oversight
POGO closely monitors secrecy issues.
News Reports on Open Government Issues
What photographers need to know about state privacy standards. A Reporters Committee special report.
Surreptitious Recording and Hidden Cameras
A quick overview from the Reporters Committee First Amendment Handbook.
Protocols from a communications lawyer on using a hidden camera. From RTNDA.
A 2001 report by the Reporters Committee on judges use of gag orders.
A Reporters Committee report on the growing tendency of judges to seal the names of jurors in criminal trials.
