The Florida Sunshine Review spotlights the latest news on Florida open government laws and freedom of information (FOI) issues, with special emphasis on public records and open meetings developments. For similar Florida items plus mass media news, see the monthly Brechner Report from the Brechner Center for Freedom of Information at the University of Florida.

January 24, 2010

Gainesville Sun, by Christopher Curry: Court says Alachua County violated state’s public records law …
Florida Times-Union, by Kevin Turner: Florida county clerks work to make filing court documents more convenient …
Fort Myers News-Press editorial: E-filing gives public more access to courts …
Fort Myers News-Press, by Pat Gillespie: What e-filing would mean for savings and access …
The Ledger, by Tom Palmer: Polk County working on text message policy regarding public records issue …
Jacksonville Observer: Appeals court allows Florida Times-Union to blog from DreShawna Davis trial …
Florida Times-Union, by Steve Patterson: Jacksonville judge puts new limits on blogging again in Davis trial …
Citizen Media Law Project blog, by David O’Brien: Florida court restricts reporter’s use of laptop during Jacksonville murder trial …

January 17, 2010

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Florida Times-Union, by Steve Patterson: Judge shuts down Times-Union blogger in murder trial with newspaper to appeal …
Florida Times-Union, by Steve Patterson: Times-Union appeals blogging order, which the judge in murder trial changed …
TCPalm.com editorial: Public officials must use social networking sites wisely or face consequences …
Orlando Sentinel, by Jeannette Rivera-Lyles: No question text messages of pubic officials about public business are the public’s business and should be public records …
Florida Today, by Susanne Cervenka: Palm Bay makes finances and spending available online …
Jacksonville Observer: Florida Supreme Court to review whether jurors can use electronic devices while in court to post on Twitter or Facebook or do research …
Panama City News-Herald editorial: Gaps in Sunshine Law for public-private entities need more attention …
Northwest Florida Daily News editorial: Great Northwest Sunshine Law controversy perhaps offers a teachable moment …

January 10, 2010

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Panama City News Herald, by Matt Dixon: Sunshine Law bill would clarify how open government provisions apply to public-private groups …
South Florida Sun-Sentinel, by editorial cartoonist Chan Lowe: Public officials always looking for ways to do business outside the sunshine …
Panama City News Herald, by Pat Rice: Walton County learns the cost of clouding Sunshine Law in settling lawsuit with Edgewater Beach Owners Association …
TCPalm.com editorial: State lobbyist records show there’s a difference between access to public records and accuracy of public records …
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, by Doug Sword: Plaintiffs say Sarasota County commissioners did not make decisions in public on Orioles stadium deal …
Panama City News-Herald, by Matt Dixon: Attorney General ruling on application of Sunshine Law is partly cloudy regarding Florida’s Great Northwest corporation …
Panama City News Herald editorial: Attorney General opinion on Great Northwest shows need for clarification regarding economic development group and open government laws …
Orlando Sentinel editorial: SunRail e-mail handling by Florida Department of Transportation needs further review …
St. Petersburg Times, by Susan Taylor Martin: Asher data mining project thrills some and worries others …
Lakewood Ranch Herald, by James A. Jones Jr.: Domestic violence victims get hand with address confidentiality …