What everyone should know about their RIGHT TO KNOW
This brochure contains valuable information on the Open Meetings and
Freedom of Information Acts. Very helpful to reporters covering the
court system. Click HERE to download the PDF.
Michigan Citizens' Rights wallet card
This
card can be printed out and folded to fit in your wallet. It contains
comprehensive information on the Freedom of Information Act and the
Open Meetings Act. Click HERE to download the PDF.
Michigan FOIA Letter Generator
The Michigan FOIA Letter Generator will help you to create a letter
which you can print out and mail to the Michigan state or local FOIA
Coordinator of your choice. This is a JavaScript form, so please make
sure your computer and browser support and have enabled JavaScript. For a federal FOIA form generator, visit the Reporters' Committee for Freedom of the Press
Promote taxpayer accountability through public notice
State and local legislators throughout the country are talking about removing
public notices from newspapers. The submersion of public notice information into
government-sponsored Web sites will also jeopardize the free flow of
public information to all citizens. Your
newspaper can’t afford to be complacent about public notices any more. Nor can taxpayers.
Keep public notice in newspapers. Why is it so important? How can you do it? Find out!
The Michigan Press Association has developed several house ads to use in your newspaper as space allows. They are designed to promote the value of newspaper readership.
The Newspaper Association of America has also developed a series of ads for
promoting public notices in newspapers. You can download the ad in COLOR or BLACK & WHITE.
Making a case for sunshine & freedom
The American Society of Newspaper Editors and the Associated Press Managing
Editors Association think it’s time to let the public know the
importance of open records in their lives. We need your help to make
the case. Please download the ads, place your newspaper logo in the space
provided and publish them.
The Michigan Press Association staff has
provided ideas and updates to help you promote open government.
This brochure discusses why the First Amendment is so important. A
list of the freedoms provided to all Americans by the First Amendment
are included. Click HERE to download the PDF.
A Journalist's Guide to Michigan Courts
If
you missed this great workshop, the Michigan Judicial Institute will be
making taped copies of the seminar available for purchase. If you are interested, please contact Lisa McGraw at
Michigan Press Association at 517.372.2424 or e-mail lisa@michiganpress.org.
Open Government Newspaper Stories
Many of the Michigan Press Association’s newspapers publish stories
that illustrate the importance of openness in Government. In
recognition of that we are launching this page on our Web site to
illustrate many of these stories.
If you know of story in a Michigan newspaper that illustrates why open government is important please email the link to Lisa McGraw.
