Agency Open Government Contacts
State Agency Open Government Links
University System Contacts
Commission on Open Government
Public Records
TrainingResources
Links
Links
Sunshine Week Proclamation
Governor Crist proclaimed March 11-17 “Sunshine Week” in the State of Florida.
First Amendment Foundation
The foundation is a highly visible and accessible source of authoritative information, expertise, and assistance for 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. The foundation publishes the Government-in-the-Sunshine Manual.
First Amendment Foundation Sample Public Record Request
Open Government Bills Passed in 2007 Session New!
The Reporters Handbook is a resource published by the Florida Bar and contains information on Florida and federal public access laws. Other chapters discuss access to court proceedings and records, an overview of the state courts system, and a list of various resources for media law issues.
The Florida Society of Newspaper Editors
This organization is a resource for journalist and medial outlets. The Society works to advance the cause of responsible journalism by promoting and protecting freedom of information and public access.
Attorney General’s Open Government Mediation Program
The mediation program is established in section 16.60, Florida Statutes, as an alternative for the resolution of public access disputes. The program is voluntary and both sides must agree to consider mediation if the program is to be initiated.
In 2003, 149 cases were handled in the mediation program. Of these, 110 or 74 percent were successfully resolved through the program. The majority of mediation requests came from private citizens or organizations; however, small businesses, journalists and governmental agencies also used the program to resolve public-access controversies.
In most cases, the process concludes with the citizen receiving records that were requested. However, in a few instances, the program helps to explain why the agency is not required to produce the records. In all cases, however, the goal is the same—to provide an informal process that allows a citizen and a governmental agency to resolve a public-access controversy without having to resort to expensive and time-consuming litigation.