Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition

Breaking: A federal judge has "voided various parts of a restrictive press policy rolled out by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth last year, ruling that they trampled on the constitutional rights of reporters..." cnn.com/2026/03/20/pol…

Joint statement from Rep Neguse (D-CO) and Sen Bennet (D-CO) on the TEGNA(9NEWS)/Nexstar(Fox31) merger. They say they "intend to use every legislative tool available to rein in the lawlessness of Trump’s FCC" but don't provide details.

A second memo from Bari Weiss and Tom Cibrowski says CBS News Radio is shutting down. Here's the memo: Today, we informed our CBS News Radio team and approximately 700 affiliated stations that we will end the service on May 22, 2026. Unfortunately, this decision means that all positions within the CBS News Radio team are being eliminated.  We understand how difficult this news is for our staff and their colleagues, who have worked side by side with us to cover some of the most significant stories of our time. While this was a necessary decision, it was not an easy one.  A shift in radio station programming strategies, coupled with challenging economic realities, has made it impossible to continue the service.  We are sharing this announcement now to fulfill our commitments to our radio partners and affiliates, which require advance notice of the service’s conclusion. For nearly 100 years, CBS News Radio has delivered original reporting to the nation—from Edward R. Murrow’s World War II reports in London to today’s daily White House updates.  Our signature broadcast, “World News Roundup,” remains the longest-running newscast in the country.  CBS News Radio served as the foundation for everything we have built since 1927. The coming weeks will be difficult for the team members who have worked tirelessly at CBS News Radio.  We are committed to supporting these valued colleagues with care and respect as we wind down operations.  They have been critical to our success and remain treasured friends and professionals.  We thank them deeply for their contributions. Thank you all for your dedication and for the compassion you show one another as we move forward. Bari and Tom

My perspective on the takeover comes from running a freedom-of-information hotline for 13 years, not just from watching TV news. 9NEWS journalists are frequent hotline users and some of their questions have led to important litigation. That says a lot about their journalism.

NEW: Nexstar announces that the FCC and Department of Justice have approved the acquisition of TEGNA. Nexstar owns Fox31 in Denver. TEGNA owns 9NEWS. Nexstar has said multiple stations in the same market will be combined.

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House Speaker Matt Hall told reporters he received an award from "one of the premier transparency and accountability organizations." However, multiple transparency advocates said they had never heard of the group before. Story with @DNBethLeBlanc. detroitnews.com/story/news/pol…

NEW: Colorado AG Phil Weiser (D) joins seven other state AGs in suing to block the acquisition of TEGNA (9NEWS) by Nexstar (Fox31), citing anti-monopoly law. The lawsuit says deal would raise prices for consumers and lead to newsroom closures in combined markets like Denver.

CFOIC is in DC for Sunshine Fest. Two Coloradans on the main stage: Kimberly Spencer of the Colorado Media Project and Amalie Nash of the Knight Foundation (a CFOIC board member).

Cherry Creek School District charges $1,200 for travel records sought amid leadership turmoil denvergazette.com/2026/03/14/che… #edcolo #coleg

“As they did more than 50 years ago, Colorado voters could again with the force of sufficient numbers demand transparency from government leaders who would prefer to work in secret.” coloradonewsline.com/2026/03/14/fun…

Thanks for putting this together and including CFOIC!

ICYMI: Lawyers for Boulder and Yellow Scene Magazine clashed in the Court of Appeals over whether the Law Enforcement Integrity Act lets agencies charge 100s or 1000s of dollars to provide bodycam footage showing possible misconduct by police officers. coloradofoic.org/appellate-judg…

Lawyers for Boulder and Yellow Scene Magazine clashed in the Court of Appeals over whether the Law Enforcement Integrity Act lets agencies charge hundreds or thousands of dollars to provide bodycam footage showing possible misconduct by police officers. coloradofoic.org/appellate-judg…

Scoop: The Pentagon barred press photographers from briefings on the ongoing U.S.-Israeli military conflict with Iran after they published photos of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that his staff deemed "unflattering." washingtonpost.com/business/2026/…

"Providing the public with information about operations, deliberations, contracts and final decisions is a core function of government not a nuisance to be dealt with." denverpost.com/2026/03/10/col…

BREAKING: Alexander Butterfield, the Richard Nixon aide who disclosed the Watergate tapes, dies at 99. apnews.com/article/alexan…

Bring your open government gripes, cheers or solutions to the second #SunshineWeek Transparency Slam, hosted by CFOIC and The Colorado Sun. Friday, Mar. 20, at the Denver Press Club. mailchi.mp/fdaf4d14306e/t…

🎤 Perspectives on Press Freedom @MSUDenverJoin Colorado journalists and media leaders for a conversation about press freedom, public records, and government transparency.📅 March 12 ⏰ 12:30–1:30 PM 📍 Studio A – Media Center (Library Basement)💬 Student Q&A