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Brechner Center for Freedom of Information

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Study: The COVID-19 Pandemic Affected College Media Outlet Routines, Revenues and Digital Products

Thursday July 13, 2023

A new study has found that the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the independence of college media outlets both during and after the pandemic. The findings by University of Florida …
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Janet Coats Will Speak About the Brechner Center at Alachua County Library District’s Freedom of Information Day

Wednesday March 15, 2023

Janet Coats, managing director of the Consortium on Trust in Media and Technology (CTMT) at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications, will speak about the College’s …
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Dave Cuillier Named Director of the Brechner Freedom of Information Project

Tuesday February 21, 2023

The University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications today announced that David Cuillier has been named director of the Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Project. He will join …
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Entry Period for $3,000 Brechner Freedom of Information Award Now Open

Monday January 30, 2023

The Brechner Center for Freedom of Information today announced that the entry period for the 2023 Brechner Center for Freedom of Information Award, recognizing excellence in news reporting across all …
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Brechner Center Launches Season Two of the “Why Don’t We Know” Podcast

Friday January 13, 2023

The second season focuses on secrecy in the criminal justice system and on the ways that government agencies fail to gather and share information essential for public safety and welfare.

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“FOIA Terrorist” Jason Leopold Shares Insights on Using the Freedom of Information Act as an Investigative Tool

Monday October 24, 2022

The award-winning journalist discussed his use of FOIA at the front end of his newsgathering process, while cultivating sources that can shed light on situations uncovered through the released documents.

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Frank LoMonte Receives Washington, D.C. Pro SPJ Chapter’s 2022 Distinguished Service Award

Thursday June 23, 2022

Frank LoMonte, former University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Brechner Center for Freedom of Information director, received the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) …
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Sara Ganim Featured in Podcasts on Sexual Assault Gag Orders and System Failures in Protecting Sexual Abuse Victims

Monday June 13, 2022

Sara Ganim, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Brechner Center for Freedom of Information Hearst Journalism Fellow and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, is the host and …
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2021-2022 Journal of Civic Information Law School Writing Competition Winners Announced

Friday May 20, 2022

The Brechner Center for Freedom of Information at the University of Florida announced today the winners of the 2021-2022 Journal of Civic Information Law School Writing Competition. The honors …
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Frank LoMonte Co-Authors Article on How Workplace Gag Rules Frustrate Police Accountability

Thursday April 28, 2022

Frank LoMonte, former University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Brechner Center for Freedom of Information director, and UF law student Jessica Terkovich are the authors of …
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Frank LoMonte Comments on the Non-Disclosure of NIL Payments to Student-Athletes

Friday March 4, 2022

Frank LoMonte, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Brechner Center for Freedom of Information director, is quoted in “WRAL Investigates: Payments Now Legal to College …
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Entry Period for $3,000 Brechner Freedom of Information Award Now Open

Wednesday February 9, 2022

Entries are now open for the 2022 Brechner Center for Freedom of Information Award, recognizing excellence in news reporting across all media platforms that was aired or published during 2021. The …
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Brechner Center Director Frank LoMonte Joins CNN as Legal Counsel

Tuesday February 1, 2022

Frank LoMonte, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (UFCJC) Brechner Center for Freedom of Information director, joined CNN in Atlanta on Feb. 1 as a new counsel. He …
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Frank LoMonte Comments on Public Records and Public Officials’ First Amendment Rights

Friday January 21, 2022

Frank LoMonte, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Brechner Center for Freedom of Information director, is quoted in “In the Dark: Florida Lawmakers Creating New Ways …
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Frank LoMonte Co-Authors Article on Smartphone Security for Mobile Journalists

Monday January 10, 2022

Frank LoMonte, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Brechner Center for Freedom of Information director, is the co-author of “Smartphone Security for the Mobile …
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Frank LoMonte Authors Article on Student Journalism and Civic Education

Thursday January 6, 2022

Frank LoMonte, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Brechner Center for Freedom of Information director, is the author of “Student Journalism and Civic Education” …
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Student Journalism and Civic Education

Wednesday January 5, 2022

One of the very few unifying propositions across all U.S. ideologies is that young people need more effective civics education. Given that widespread consensus, it might be expected that educators and policymakers would be tightly embracing the curative of scholastic journalism. But that is rarely the case.

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Frank LoMonte Authors Column on How Social Media Posts Can Affect College Admission

Tuesday December 14, 2021

Frank LoMonte, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Brechner Center for Freedom of Information director, is the author of “The First Amendment, Social Media and College …
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The First Amendment, Social Media and College Admissions

Monday December 13, 2021

Social media is an empowering leveler for millions of young users. But for some teens, social media will also prove to be the difference maker in losing access to a college education because an admissions officer deemed their speech to be offensive or indicative of bad character.

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Frank LoMonte Authors Law Journal Article on Using Copyright Protections to Deny Public Records

Thursday December 9, 2021

Frank LoMonte, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Brechner Center for Freedom of Information director, is the author of “Copyright Versus the Right to Copy: The Civic …
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Former Brechner Center Fellow Publishes Series on “Clean Slate” Laws

Wednesday December 8, 2021

Former Brechner Center Journalist-in-Residence Miranda Spivak published a series of articles on “clean state” laws, based on an investigation she began while at the Center.

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Frank LoMonte Comments on Private Companies Hiding Public Information

Friday November 19, 2021

Frank LoMonte, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Brechner Center for Freedom of Information director, is quoted in “Kansas Allows Private Companies to Hide Public …
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Frank LoMonte Comments on a Possible Philadelphia School District Gag Order Policy

Wednesday November 10, 2021

Frank LoMonte, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Brechner Center for Freedom of Information director, is quoted in “The Philadelphia School District is Proposing a …
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Frank LoMonte Comments on the Legality of Gag Order on Appointed State Judges

Tuesday November 2, 2021

Frank LoMonte, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Brechner Center for Freedom of Information director, is quoted in “Magistrate Fired Over Comments to Times” …