First Amendment Coalition

Fresno leader questioned budget transparency before investigation A Fresno leader questioned whether the city council's budget process followed state transparency laws prior to a Fresnoland investigation.

“That’s as close to a smoking gun as we’re ever going to get,” FAC Legal Director @DavidLoy.bsky.social told @OmarSRashad.bsky.social at @Fresnoland. ⬇️

fresnoland.org/2025/08/08/f...

Fresno leader questioned budget transparency before investigation A Fresno leader questioned whether the city council's budget process followed state transparency laws prior to a Fresnoland investigation.

From our lawsuit against the City of Fresno for holding budget meetings in secret: The City Clerk, the person charged with Fresno's compliance with the state's open meetings law, questioned the legality of the budget subcommittee in an email that came out in discovery.

📣 Are you aware of journalists being harassed at immigration courts? Officers photographing them or their press badges? Being asked to sign in when others aren't?

@freedom.press and our partner organizations want to know about it.

Reach out on Signal to ssugars.01 or via DM.

L.A. agrees to pay $500,000 to reporters arrested at 2021 Echo Park protest The city of Los Angeles has tentatively agreed to a settlement with two Knock LA journalists who claim their constitutional rights were violated when police arrested them while covering a protest…

Journalism is not a crime.

@lacity.bsky.social has settled a lawsuit for $500,000 brought by two Knock LA journalists who were arrested four years ago while covering a protest in Echo Park.
www.latimes.com/california/s...

School officials withheld messages from the public, highlighting transparency law’s limits The failure of Grossmont officials to provide these records underscores some of the limits of California’s public record law — and raises issues now being litigated before the state’s top cou…

If courts don't have to power to enforce the Public Records Act beyond which records can be disclosed, "then the Public Records Act is meaningless" says @davidloy.bsky.social to @sandiegouniontribune.com www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/08/04/r...

Legal Hotline FAC's Free Legal Hotline

Contact our legal hotline for more help. bit.ly/FACLegalHotl...

an additional 14 days can be requested for unusual circumstances. The CPRA does not set a hard deadline, stating only that records must be produced "promptly." Watch the video to learn more about the CPRA and your rights to public records in California.

Part 3 - How long do you have to wait to receive records requested through the California Public Records Act? The California Public Records Act (CPRA) states the agency generally has to give an initial response within 10 days of your request under most circumstances;

Legal Hotline FAC's Free Legal Hotline

The CPRA does not set a hard deadline, stating only that records must be produced "promptly." Watch the video to learn more about the CPRA and your rights to public records in California. Contact our legal hotline for more help. 2/2 bit.ly/FACLegalHotl...

Part 2 - Does the California Public Records Act set a hard deadline for responding to records requests? The CPRA states the agency generally has to give an initial response within 10 days of your request under most circumstances; an additional 14 days can be requested for unusual circumstances. 1/2

Legal Hotline FAC's Free Legal Hotline

The CPRA does not set a hard deadline, stating only that records must be produced "promptly." Watch the video to learn more about the CPRA and your rights to public records in California. Contact our legal hotline for more help. 2/2 bit.ly/FACLegalHotl...

The California Public Records Act (CPRA) states the agency generally has to give an initial response within 10 days of your request under most circumstances; an additional 14 days can be requested for unusual circumstances. 1/2

Coalition Urges Modesto to Roll Back Local Law that Criminalizes Use of Safety Gear Used by Journalists Journalists should not have to risk their health and safety to do their jobs and cover the news.

Wearing protective gear like helmets, masks, and vests keeps reporters safe while they do their jobs. FAC is urging the Modesto City Council to amend or repeal a law that bans protective gear and puts journalists' health and safety at risk. firstamendmentcoalition.org/2025/07/21/c...

The Investigative Reporting Program at @berkeleyjournalism.bsky.social has sued San Joaquin County for charging unlawful fees for copies of autopsy reports about deaths caused by law enforcement. Public records aren't just for those who can afford it. firstamendmentcoalition.org/news/post/sa...

The Fight for Free Speech Goes Corporate As Paramount prepares for a merger, the Freedom of the Press Foundation stands to challenge the company for capitulating to Trump. Will it work?

The Trump lawsuit against CBS was "laughable," says FAC's David Snyder. The editing of the Kamala Harris interview "is at the core of First Amendment protections, generally, but especially if it’s about public figures right in the middle of an election.”
www.cjr.org/feature-2/pa...

San Mateo sheriff calls for removal proceedings to be public ‘The people of San Mateo County deserve to hear the truth directly,’ Corpus says

This is truly a win for transparency. We welcome Sheriff Corpus's change of heart. The public should be able to see the county's case and the sheriff's full response to the allegations against her. www.mercurynews.com/2025/07/24/s...

Today we'll be watching for the #Modesto city council to repeal or amend its mask rule so journalists don't have to risk arrest when covering protests. www.modbee.com/news/politic...

Want clarity on the California Public Records Act? FAC’s ‘Explainers’ break down legal rights in a simple, digestible Q&A format.
firstamendmentcoalition.org/resources/ex...

Coalition Urges Modesto to Roll Back Local Law that Criminalizes Use of Safety Gear Used by Journalists Journalists should not have to risk their health and safety to do their jobs and cover the news.

FAC, @spj-norcal.bsky.social, Pacific Workers Media Guild oppose a Modesto law that prohibits possession of safety gear like gas masks or helmets at protests. Reporters should not have to choose between their personal safety and doing their jobs. firstamendmentcoalition.org/2025/07/21/c...

FAC opposes AB 1392, a California bill that would eliminate press access to data on public officials—because transparency strengthens public trust in government. #Advocacy
firstamendmentcoalition.org/2025/07/10/f...

Editorial: Open up secret Sheriff Corpus removal hearings now First Amendment Coalition lawsuit threat is right: Fate of elected official should not be determined behind closed doors.

The @mercurynews.com agrees with FAC, writing about the removal hearing of San Mateo Sheriff Christina Corpus: "The possible unseating of a high-ranking elected official from office should be conducted in public, with full transparency, not behind closed doors. www.mercurynews.com/2025/07/18/e...

Editorial: Open up secret Sheriff Corpus removal hearings now First Amendment Coalition lawsuit threat is right: Fate of elected official should not be determined behind closed doors.

Transparency matters. @mercurynews.com @eastbaytimes.com @facoalition.bsky.social @knightcolumbia.org @countyofsanmateo.bsky.social

San Diego Police Secure Radio Communications San Diego Police encrypts radios, blocking media's scanner access. First Amendment concerns rise amid the compliance with California's 2020 mandate.

When you think about mass shootings, wildfires, and other fast-breaking news events, it's critical that journalists can access police radio transmissions. Encrypting transmissions makes it more difficult for journalists to keep the public safe & informed.
www.cbs8.com/article/news...

California lawmakers push for less public disclosure amid security concerns A proposal would block journalists’ access to politicians’ residential addresses and phone numbers in their voter roll.

Access to lawmakers' personal information is already extremely limited. We agree safety is important, "but this should not deprive the press of its ability to do fundamental watchdog and accountability reporting" says FAC's @davidloy.bsky.social. calmatters.org/politics/202...

LAUSD public records How much did the cellphone policy cost?

Great overview by @marianadale.bsky.social @laist.com about LA Public Schools' spotty public records response history, including FAC's reply to the district's demand for $8,000 to search for records requested by journalist Holly McDede: laist.com/brief/news/e...

FAC Urges San Mateo County to Keep Sheriff’s Removal Hearing Open to Public Advocacy

San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus asked to close next month's removal hearing to the public. In this letter sent today, FAC explains why closing it would be against the law, and urges the Board of Supervisors to keep it open to the public. firstamendmentcoalition.org/2025/07/16/f...

Legal Hotline

Hi Angela, please submit this to our Legal Hotline, and someone will get back to you: firstamendmentcoalition.org/legal-hotline/

Secrets, Lies, and Democracy: Why It’s Time to Take a Stand Join journalist Miranda Spivack to discuss her new book on government secrecy and how local heroes are fighting back.

Join a discussion tomorrow 7/15 in SF at 7:30 PM PT with @katrowlands.bsky.social & @mirandaspivack.bsky.social about how government secrecy harms communities, and why we need a strong local press to help hold government accountable. www.eventbrite.com/e/secrets-li...

In the suit filed by @lapressclub.bsky.social @statuscoupnews.bsky.social against the City of L.A., the court issued a temp restraining order finding LAPD likely violated the rights of reporters covering protests against federal immigration enforcement. firstamendmentcoalition.org/wp-content/u...

The press & public should not be priced out of public records. FAC & a press coalition are supporting AB 1524, a bill in the California Legislature that would ensure anyone can make copies of publicly available documents using their own devices and avoid paying steep fees. buff.ly/og2K3L0