The Associated Press Managing Editors Association is a leader in the public access and open government issues.

Whether honoring journalism that advances freedom of information through its prestigious First Amendment Awards, helping news organizations talk to local consumers about the importance of First Amendment protections or challenging government leaders, APME believes in the public's right to know. Here are just some of APME's activities in support of the free flow of information:

■ First Amendment Awards and Citations. APME annually recognizes news organizations and journalists for work that advances freedom of information.

■ APME First Amendment Project. With help from APME, newspapers invited readers to sit down and talk about their use of government records. See how you can talk to your audience about such an important topic by downloading a copy of a booklet produced from those conversations, "Freedom of Information Roundtables: Conversations With Your Readers.

■ AP Public Access Task Force. Three AP organizations of newspaper editors – managing editors, sports editors and photo managers – share information and react immediately when press restriction issues arise.

■ Coalition of Journalists for Open Government. APME is a charter member of a coalition of journalism organizations working collectively to push back at the federal level against government secrecy.

■ Position papers, statements. APME distributes information about freedom of information issues and occasionally corresponds directly with the department or agency involved. For example, APME was joined by the AP Photo Managers and the American Society of Newspaper Editors in calling for then Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to immediately release AP photographer Bilal Hussein, detained by U.S. forces in Iraq and held indefinitely without charge.

Here are links for more useful information on freedom of information and the First Amendment:

■ AP and the People's Right to Know
■ FOI News from AP
■ Guidelines to filing FOI requests

■ Colorado: Wide variety in what officials are willing to hand over
■ Virginia: Requests for crime data often denied