The
Freedom
of Information Foundation of Texas (FOIFT)
works together with journalism departments at universities across
the state each year to execute the Light of Day project, a program
aimed at increasing the awareness and use of public information laws.
The Light of Day Project provides a statewide network of college
journalism students the opportunity for hands-on training using public
information to develop investigative journalism projects.
Students
Making a Difference
The
students' stories are making a difference by shedding light on inconsistent
practices such as those discovered at police and sheriffs' departments
across the state in the 2005-2006
Taser-themed project and on the reporting
or lack thereof of campus crimes
in 2004. The stories are also prompting investigations
and policy changes in the way that campuses document and distribute
information publicly about campus crime. The Light of Day Project
has been an unqualified success for the students and the FOIFT.
Each year,
an advisory committee selects a topic that lends itself to a long
investigative series. Students at participating universities submit
Texas Public Information Act requests to various governmental agencies
depending on that semester's topic.
After the data has been collected, all of the components are gathered
from each university and compiled into a database where it can be
studied and developed into full investigative stories. Students
can either work jointly between universities or each university can
use the data to develop its own stories relevant to its local community.
The students and faculty employ state and federal freedom of information
laws to explore various angles. FOIFT provides legal and logistical
support. This not only gives the students the experience of the reporting
process, but it also provides them with an opportunity to network
and meet with potential employers.
Why
the FOIFT Supports the Light of Day Project
The Light of Day
Project is a perfect fit for the ideals of the FOIFT, which focus
on education about the Texas Public Information and Open Meetings
Acts and helping to protect the rights guaranteed by the First Amendment.
The Foundation believes the education provided in the Light
of Day Project is invaluable to those involved in understanding the
issues and concepts behind public information.
Student
journalists involved with the Light of Day Project have won multiple
awards for their investigative stories. The FOIFT is proud to
be a part of a project that not only teaches future journalists how
to obtain and use public information to develop stories, but most
importantly, it gets them excited about being watch dogs for society
and bringing about change.
The
Light of Day Project: What is it?