The Florida First Amendment Foundation names Bobby Block as Executive Director
Press release from Florida First Amendment Foundation
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Robert “Bobby” Block, managing editor of Florida Today, will become the Florida First Amendment Foundation’s executive director. He succeeds former U.S. Attorney Pamela Marsh, who accepted a position at the Levin College of Law at the University of Florida in June.
Block’s career in journalism and advocacy spans four decades. He contributed to the Wall Street Journal’s coverage of 9/11, which earned a 2002 Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News. He is co-author of the book “Disaster: Hurricane Katrina and the Failure of Homeland Security” and has also reported on conflicts around the world, including coverage of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda as it happened, as well as the summary executions of more than 8,000 men and boys from the Bosnian village of Srebrenica by Serbian forces in 1995.
His appointment as FAF executive director, starting February 1st, comes when direct attacks on the First Amendment rights of Florida’s citizens are increasing with callous disregard for the law. Both state and local governments are restricting citizens’ access to public meetings and records. The right to question state and local officials and hold them accountable has become fraught with problems. Government bodies that are legally required by Florida’s Constitution to act with transparency and in the sunshine are moving more and more into the shade.
“Never has the work of the Foundation been more essential than it is now at a time when reporters and citizens across Florida are being stonewalled and denied their right to access government information. Public records and Sunshine laws are being routinely disregarded across Florida with seemingly no fear of reprisals. This cannot be allowed to stand for the sake of our democracy,” Block said.
“I have fought for truth and accountability my entire professional life, first overseas, then in Washington, and now in my home state. Nothing could be more meaningful to me than empowering citizens, journalists, and lawyers to protect our most treasured rights to worship freely, to gather and protest, to speak out against corruption and misrule, and to oversee the inner workings of government. I cannot adequately describe how thrilled I am to stand with you in defense of those rights as the head of FAF.”
Block’s career has included reporting for The Wall Street Journal, the Tribune Company, Reuters, and The Independent of London. He has been a contributor to the New York Review of Books.
“Robert Block’s stellar career of fighting for truth and accountability made him the perfect choice to lead the Foundation into the future. We are excited to see him bring to life his innovative ideas to empower citizens and journalists alike, as well as pull back attempts to cloak the public’s right to know what’s happening in our government,” said Trimmel Gomes, Vice Chair of the Foundation’s board of trustees.
“We are all in good hands with Bobby directing our First Amendment Foundation,” said FAF board chair Caitie Munoz. “His clear passion for protecting the First Amendment has been evident throughout his career. Now, he will bring that passion to serving Floridians.”
Under Block’s leadership, FAF will focus on expanding its educational offerings and opportunities to the public and increase partnerships with institutions and organizations passionate about the First Amendment, in the furtherance of government accountability and public access to information.
Free speech and press are very unpopular with the globalist power elites. He might need to watch his back when leaving Florida.