Montana FOI Coalition launches new website
Montana’s longtime and foremost advocate for open government -- the Montana Freedom of Information Hotline – has a new name and new website, which will be a powerful tool for those seeking government records and open meetings in the Treasure State.
The website of the newly named Montana Freedom of Information Coalition, www.foimontana.org, went live March 30.
Journalists and the public-at-large can use the website to help them request public records from state and local governments in Montana and get free legal advice when they encounter resistance. The site also offers help and advice for anyone who believes they’ve been or may be illegally barred from attending meetings of government bodies.
“Montana has one of the strongest ‘right-to-know’ legal guarantees in the nation, when it comes to government records and meetings,” said Mike Dennison, president of the FOI Coalition. “We want to make sure the media and our citizens are able to exercise that right, in the face of any illegal resistance.”
The Montana FOI Hotline, formed in 1988, has provided free legal advice to journalists and the public for nearly four decades, through its contracted attorney, Mike Meloy.
Meloy helped write Montana’s open-records and open-meeting laws that implement our 1972 state constitutional language that says all citizens have the right “to examine documents or to observe the deliberations of all public bodies or agencies of state government and its subdivisions.”
Four member groups formed the original Hotline: The Montana Newspaper Association, Montana Broadcasters Association, the University of Montana School of Journalism and The Associated Press.
Late last year, the Hotline added a new member – the Montana Transparency Project – and changed its name to the Montana Freedom of Information Coalition.
With the addition of Montana Transparency Project as a new member, the coalition will offer direct help to citizens and journalists filing public-records requests. It also will continue to provide free legal advice through Meloy.
“We’re proud to be working with the Freedom of Information Coalition to centralize right-to-know services and help Montanans access their right to know,” said Jacob Linfesty, president of the Montana Transparency Project. “This new chapter will help bring more transparency to our state.”
Nearly 200 people contacted the coalition last year for advice on accessing government records and meetings.
While citizens can always contact the coalition or Meloy for help directly, the coalition hopes its newly refurbished website can answer many basic questions on requesting public records or accessing government meetings.
The coalition also bestows an annual John Kuglin FOI Champion Award, honoring a Montanan who’s been a strong advocate for open government in the state. The award is named for the late Kuglin, a former Montana AP bureau chief who was the driving force in establishing the Montana FOI Hotline.
The coalition is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, supported by donations from media organizations, foundations and individuals. Donations can be made through the website or mailed to the coalition at 507 N. Rodney St., Helena, MT, 59601.
Contact: Mike Dennison
406-465-7476
Mikedennison5@gmail.com