Barbara A. Peterson
Barbara A. Petersen, one of Florida’s most prominent advocates for the public’s right to know and open government and records, has rejoined the board of the Florida Center for Investigative Reporting.
‘I’m pleased and privileged to be serving again on the FCIR board and to be working with a strong and aggressive investigative reporting team,” Petersen said. “It’s good to be back.”
Petersen, who has been president of the Tallahassee-based Florida First Amendment Foundation since 1995, is also on the boards of the National Freedom of Information Coalition, which she has served as president and treasurer, and the Florida Society of News Editors.
A graduate of the University of Missouri and the Florida State University College of Law, Petersen served as chair of former Gov. Charlie Crist’s Commission on Open Government Reform and is currently Florida Senate President Don Gaetz’s appointee to the User Experience Task Force, which is charged with enhancing transparency in Florida’s government.
“Barbara is the go-to person in Florida on First Amendment issues,” said Sharon Rosenhause, FCIR’s president. “We’re delighted to welcome Barbara back and look forward to working with her on issues critical to our respective missions — government transparency, public records and open meeting laws.”