The Brechner Center is a leading resource on freedom of information and government in the sunshine laws pertaining to the Federal govenrment and Florida's state government.
The Center has a very useful online guide for utilizing Florida's Government Sunshine Laws.
Here is a description of the Brechner Center from their website, www.brechner.org:
The Brechner Center 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. The Brechner Center personnel can answer questions about libel, privacy, prior restraints, freedom of information, Florida's Government in the Sunshine Laws, access to courts and other First Amendment issues.
In order to better serve you, we ask that you telephone, rather than e-mail, the Brechner Center. The Brechner Center, a non-profit educational center, can be reached at (352) 392-2273.
The Brechner Center houses a variety of resources, including:
- A comprehensive collection of newspaper clippings about Florida media law since 1976
- Florida court decisions and opinions
- Publications summarizing media law in individual states
- Online legal databases
- An extensive book collection.
The Brechner Center, a unit of the College of Journalism and Communications at the University of Florida, is relied upon by media organizations nationwide for information about media law developments in Florida. The Center is a member of the National FOI Coalition.
Center personnel regularly discuss freedom of information issues with public officials, the media, and individual citizens. As one of the few freedom of information centers housed in an academic institution, the Center also sponsors research and produces publications. The Center's founding director takes an active role in a multifaceted graduate program in media law.
History
The Brechner Center is the successor to the Florida Freedom of Information Clearinghouse, established in 1977. For nearly 10 years, the Clearinghouse operated under the direction of Professor Jo Anne Smith. Many of the funds for the Clearinghouse endowment were provided by the Florida news media.
Joseph L. Brechner, an Orlando broadcaster and advocate of freedom of information, provided more than $1 million for the eminent scholar endowment, funds to construct a suite of offices, and funds to enlarge the operational endowment. In 1986, the Clearinghouse was renamed the Joseph L. Brechner Center for Freedom of Information to honor Mr. Brechner's contributions to freedom of information.
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