Florida Politics by Staff Reports
June 28, 2019
After 25 years of fighting for open and transparent government in Florida, First Amendment Foundation (FAF) president Barbara Petersen says she will retire at the end of this year.
“Twenty-five years ago, when the visionary Miami Herald managing editor Pete Weitzel asked me to run the First Amendment Foundation, I knew then I would be able to spend my legal career pursuing a passion that I find essential to the health and sustainability of democracy in Florida,” the 67-year-old Petersen said in a statement released Friday.
“The FAF is the only organization in Florida that focuses its energy and resources on protecting the public’s right to oversee its government and hold it accountable to the electorate,” she said. “Of course, that effort requires the vigilance of hundreds of people across the state — reporters, editors, citizens, public officials and government employees — who make sure our system of governance remains open and accessible to its people.
“It’s been an honor to serve as the president of the First Amendment Foundation over the years, and a privilege to work with so many people devoted to government in the sunshine, there for all to see and participate in, a standard we all must be willing to fight for in the future, as so many have fought so steadfastly for in the past.
“I thank everyone who shares this ideal for their support of the Foundation as it continues to work on behalf of all Floridians.”