Links to freedom

A quick guide to important Internet resources related to open government and the public's right to know.

The Freedom Forum
The Freedom Forum is a nonpartisan foundation whose mission is to work toward all aspects of a free press and free speech -- and all of the First Amendment freedoms. The First Amendment Center, a project of the Freedom Forum, works to preserve and protect First Amendment freedoms through information and education. The Web site offers a wealth of information and news about First Amendment issues, including "research packages" that review important Supreme Court cases dealing with the First Amendment.

Pennsylvania Center for the First Amendment
The Pennsylvania Center for the First Amendment at Penn State, founded in 1992, has continuously provided educational programs, sponsored speakers, published books and articles in the popular and academic press, and served as a resource on a wide array of First Amendment topics.

American Library Association
American Library Association's Office of Intellectual Freedom works to implement ALA policies on intellectual freedom as embodied in the Library Bill of Rights, the association's basic policy on free access to libraries and library materials. The goal of the office is to educate librarians and the general public about the nature and importance of intellectual freedom in libraries.

OpenTheGovernment.org
OpenTheGovernment.org is a coalition that includes librarians, journalists, good government and environmental groups, and labor. It advocates defending the First Amendment, promoting free expression, strengthening national security and fighting censorship. The site includes a report on the "Ten Most Wanted Documents for 2004."

Illinois Press Association
Nonprofit division of Illinois Press Association providing news, court cases on First Amendment issues. Includes section for students.

First Amendment Cyber-Tribune
FACT, the First Amendment Cyber-Tribune, is one of the pioneer First Amendment sites in the nation. According to its creators, it's a "resource for anyone wanting to learn about the First Amendment," providing "information on all the liberties guaranteed by the amendment."

League of Women Voters
Read about the League of Women Voters and their efforts through their Citizens Right to Know project.

Pennsylvania Newspaper Association
The Pennsylvania Newspaper Association has compiled information about current proposed and approved legislation related to open records and open meetings,.

Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press sponsors a Web site to provide information on how to obtain public records from the federal government.

Tapping Officials' Secrets
Tapping Officials' Secrets, the newly updated edition of a guide to open records and meetings in all 50 states & D.C., from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press.

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Ethics Commission
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Ethics Commission requires a variety of disclosures by public officials, both elected and non-elected, which are on the public record. This site provides an overview of the state disclosure requirements, what officials must file and how to obtain copies of disclosures for review. The commission also registers and tracks lobbyists and lobbying activity.

Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press has released a report called Homefront Confidential: How the War on Terrorism Affects Access to Information and the Public's Right to Know, showing how events following Sept. 11 restrict access to public information. The report has recently been updated with color-coded threat levels, a play on the terrorism alerts. But these levels show the threat to public and press access to information and war coverage.

Information for Teachers
Teachers can obtain information and curriculum materials and ideas on the First Amendment from:
The National Freedom of Information Coalition
The Association for Curriculum and Development
The First Amendment Center
The Student Press Law Center

Public Notice Ads
Check public notice advertisements in local newspapers if you want to attend and observe a public meeting about a neighborhood problem, or voice your opinion about a proposal to build a new subdivision in your township.

FirstGov
FirstGov.gov is run by the U.S. General Services Administration and is designed to be the first Web site -- or portal -- you use to access federal government sites. Use it to file for Social Security benefits, apply for a student loan, find a government job, get income tax info., etc.

University of Michigan Documents Center
The University of Michigan Documents Center is a central reference and referral point for government information, whether local, state, federal, foreign or international. Its web pages are a reference and instructional tool for government, political science, statistical data, and news.