Freedom of information: New project aims to help Detroiters use public records law The Detroit Free Press
“Journalists talk a lot about the Freedom of Information Act. It’s a key way that we hold our governments accountable. Free Press journalists recently used Michigan’s Freedom of Information law to spotlight a lack of state oversight for reserve police officers and to describe unsafe homes owned by Detroit’s land bank.”
“Every day, they use the law to obtain documents produced by governments that our tax dollars pay for. And this tool isn’t just for journalists. The Freedom of Information Act is essential to ensuring local and state government agencies are accountable to the general public.”
The Detroit Journalism Engagement Fund at the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan awarded Michigan Community Resources and the Free Press a grant of $18,020 that will allow both groups to share their legal and journalistic expertise to help residents across Detroit get to know and use the Freedom of Information Act.