FOI Archive
CAL-FOI ARCHIVE
The CAL-FOI archive, sponsored by the Society of Professional Journalists Northern California chapter, is a collection of documents and links to Internet sites on First Amendment, public records, open government and similar issues of concern to reporters.
Public Records | Open Government | Courts | General FOI issues
Public Records
- Guide to using the California Public Records Act
A guide with hyperlinks at the First Amendment Project Web site. - Obtaining records from federal agencies using FOIA
A guide with hyperlinks at the First Amendment Project Web site. - Electronic Frontier Foundation
A Web site with White House documents and other background information on the Freedom of Information Act, including an FOIA kit on how to use the act. - Electronic Privacy Information Center
A Web site with links to a variety of FOIA guides and White House memoranda on accessing government records.
Open Government
- California Brown Act guide
A guide with hyperlinks at the First Amendment Project Web site. - Sunshine Ordinances
Includes local ordinance in California counties on accessing government records and meetings.
Courts
Access to courts and court records.
- Access to courts and court records in California
A guide with hyperlinks at the First Amendment Project Web site.
General FOI issues
FOI organizations and discussion groups and other general sources of information.
- CalFOI mailing list
How to join an e-mail discussion list on FOI and First Amendment issues set up by the Northern California SPJ FOI Committee and the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. - California First Amendment Coalition
A Web site that has CFAC's bulletins and newsletters on court decisions, government legislation and other actions affecting access to public records and government. - First Amendment Project
The Web page of the Oakland, California-based public-interest law firm that includes hyperlinked documents on the Freedom of Information Act, California Public Records Act, government and court access, and anti-SLAPP suits. - Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
The Web page of the non-profit group that provides legal help to reporters and news organizations. The site has a First Amendment handbook with advice on government and court access, obtaining public records, and a host of related issues, a sample FOIA request form and a hot line number to call for assistance with First Amendment problems. - San Francisco Bay Guardian
They have a "citizen's guide to fighting secret government" that lists lots of resources on freedom-of-information issues.
This site is sponsored by the Freedom of Information Committee of the Northern California chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists and runs on a Web server at the University of California at Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism.
Send comments and suggestions to Paul Grabowicz