Access and Freedom of Information Resources

"answers queries about media law from journalists, attorneys, and other members of the public. The Center is prepared to explain issues relating to media law, react to current developments, offer speakers for meetings and classes, and assist in research about media law."

"is a multi-partisan organization in Orange County, Florida that focuses on ensuring citizen-friendly local government. CountyWatch is committed to promoting open and accountable local government that listens to the concerns of its citizens and is responsive to those concerns."

"is a highly visible and accessible source of authoritative information, expertise, and assistance to the public and news media. It was founded as a non-profit organization in 1984 by The Florida Press Association, the Florida Society of Newspaper Editors, and the Florida Association of Broadcasters to ensure that public commitment and progress in the areas of free speech, free press, and open government do not become checked and diluted during Florida’s changing times."

"is charged with providing the Office of the Governor and each of the executive agencies under my purview with the guidance and tools to serve Florida with integrity and transparency. To that end, the Office’s primary functions will be: (1) to assure full and expeditious compliance with Florida’s open government and public records laws, and (2) to provide training to all executive agencies under my purview on transparency and accountability. The Office will also have primary responsibility for ensuring that the Office of the Governor complies with public records requests in an expeditious manner."

lists many online resources.

"high-quality, accessible investigative reports, databases and contextual analysis on issues of public importance."

"an alliance of more than 30 journalism-related organizations concerned about secrecy in government and the increasing closure of public records and meetings at all levels of government."

"a comprehensive list of free public record sites to locate sources for civil records, criminal records, driving records, real estate records, public record vendors, record retrievers, and more."

"gives the public an unprecedented level of access to government documents by allowing users to browse, search, and review hundreds of thousands of pages acquired through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and other public disclosure, or 'sunshine,' laws."

edited by Mary Martin (Greenwood Press, 2005)

"provide online access to critical declassified records on issues including U.S. national security, foreign policy, diplomatic and military history, intelligence policy, and more. Updated frequently, the Electronic Briefing Books represent just a small sample of the documents in our published and unpublished collections."

"a nonprofit government watchdog organization located in Washington, DC. Our mission is to promote open government, accountability and citizen participation."

"a coalition of journalists, consumer and good government groups, environmentalists, library groups, labor and others united to make the federal government a more open place in order to make us safer, strengthen public trust in government, and support our democratic principles."

"Through research, advocacy, and public education, the FAS Project on Government Secrecy works to challenge excessive government secrecy and to promote public oversight."

provides resources about "finding and using public records and 'quasi' public records to find stories, buttress tips, follow paper trails and background people."

"is an advocate for student free-press rights and provides information, advice, and legal assistance at no charge to students and the educators who work with them."

"is a national initiative to open a dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information. Participants include print, broadcast and online news media, civic groups, libraries, non-profits, schools and others interested in the public's right to know."

by Lori L. Smith, Daniel C. Barkley, Daniel D. Cornwall, Eric W. Johnson, & J. Louise Malcomb (Greenwood Press, 2003)

"highly detailed but easy-to-access information on selected federal enforcement agencies, special topical reports, and 'bulletins' about federal enforcement, staffing and expenditures."

"the federation of state Public Interest Research Groups (PIRGs), takes on powerful interests on behalf of the American public, working to win concrete results for our health and our well-being."

"a one-stop portal that describes best practices, consolidates lessons learned, explains campaign strategies and tactics, and links the efforts of freedom of information advocates around the world. It contains crucial information on freedom of information laws and how they were drafted and implemented, including how various provisions have worked in practice."

by Andrea M. Morrison and Barbara J. Mann (Greenwood Press, 2004)

"Journal Aim: To publish research and communications related to Freedom of Information (FOI) legislation from the perspective of academics, practitioners and FOI users."

"samples for requests, appeals, and fee waivers, as well as Privacy Act letters for access, appeals, and amending records."

• Florida Public Records Request Letter
• FOIA Request Letter
• Appendix A: Sample Public Records Request Letter (Florida Government in the Sunshine: A Citizen's Guide)