Freedom of Information Class ... for free!

If you haven't learned enough from reading my blog and undergoing your own FOI trials and tribulations, look no further. The Poynter Institute, "a news university"is offering a free class that will tell you everything you need or want to know about Freedom of Information and records laws.

Here, Poynter describes the course:

Freedom of information is instrumental to journalism and essential for democracy. This course teaches you how to use the Freedom of Information Act, Public Records Laws and Open Meetings Laws to uphold your right to know the government's actions. Learn not only the details of FOI laws in your state, but how to use FOI to write better stories today. This course will teach you how to determine if something is a public document and how to access it if it is.

Upon completing this course, you will be able to:

• Use the federal Freedom of Information Act to request information.
• Obtain public records and attend meetings under state-level Sunshine Laws.
• Use documents to drive your newsroom.
• See how others have used FOI to write better stories.
• Use the Web to find more information about FOI laws in your state.

There you have it. It is something I would recommend even for those who don't anticipate ever having to make an FOI request. You'd be surprised, you likely will have to make at least one in your life if you want to get involved in anything.

Here is the link for more info: http://www.newsu.org/courses/freedom-information