NMFOG is a 501(3)c non-profit organization with a single mission — to help the general public, students, educators, public officials, media and legal professionals understand, obtain and exercise:
- their rights and responsibilities under New Mexico “sunshine laws” – the Inspection of Public Records Act, Open Meetings Act and Arrest Record Information Act.
- their rights under the federal Freedom of Information Act.
- their First Amendment rights.
What We Believe
- The First Amendment belongs to every one of us, and we are all enriched and empowered by it.
- The First Amendment gives us the right to criticize our government. But how can we exercise that right if we don’t know what our government is doing? Access to information is key.
- Bureaucracies are naturally secretive, and the public must constantly defend its right to know.
- Transparent, accountable government is not a partisan issue – it’s a core value in a democracy.
The Basics
- NMFOG was founded in 1989 and began recruiting members in 1990.
- We are an educational non-profit organization with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.
- Our funding comes from membership dues, private grants and an annual fundraising banquet.
- NMFOG is governed by a Board of Directors and has one full-time employee, the Executive Director, and a part-time Membership Director.
- NMFOG’s membership includes many journalists and lawyers, but also business owners, government officials, other non-profit organizations and engaged citizens.
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