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Case TitleFirst Look Media Works, Inc. et al v. U.S. Agency for Global Media
DistrictNorthern District of California
CityOakland
Case Number4:2020cv08065
Date Filed2020-11-16
Date Closed2020-11-25
JudgeJudge Saundra Brown Armstrong
PlaintiffFirst Look Media Works, Inc.
PlaintiffLee Fang
Case DescriptionLee Fang, an investigative reporter for The Intercept, submitted a FOIA request to the U.S. Agency for Global Media for records concerning policies implemented by recently appointed director Michael Pack that threatened the independence of journalists working for Voice of America, particularly his decision to terminate relationships with journalists in other countries. Fang also requested expedited processing and a fee waiver. After hearing nothing further from the agency, First Look Media Works filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Adequacy - Search, Litigation - Vaughn index, Public Interest Fee Waiver, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantU.S. Agency for Global Media
Documents
Docket
Complaint
Complaint attachment 1
Complaint attachment 2
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2020-11-161COMPLAINT for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief for Violation of the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552 et seq. against U.S. Agency for Global Media ( Filing fee $ 400, receipt number 0971-15198244.). Filed byFirst Look Media Works, Inc., Lee Fang. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Civil Cover Sheet)(Burke, Thomas) (Filed on 11/16/2020) (Entered: 11/16/2020)
2020-11-162Proposed Summons. (Burke, Thomas) (Filed on 11/16/2020) (Entered: 11/16/2020)
2020-11-173Case assigned to Magistrate Judge Donna M. Ryu. Counsel for plaintiff or the removing party is responsible for serving the Complaint or Notice of Removal, Summons and the assigned judge's standing orders and all other new case documents upon the opposing parties. For information, visit E-Filing A New Civil Case at http://cand.uscourts.gov/ecf/caseopening. Standing orders can be downloaded from the court's web page at www.cand.uscourts.gov/judges. Upon receipt, the summons will be issued and returned electronically. Counsel is required to send chambers a copy of the initiating documents pursuant to L.R. 5-1(e)(7). A scheduling order will be sent by Notice of Electronic Filing (NEF) within two business days. Consent/Declination due by 12/1/2020. (haS, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 11/17/2020) (Entered: 11/17/2020)
2020-11-174Summons Issued as to U.S. Agency for Global Media, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General. (jmlS, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 11/17/2020) (Entered: 11/17/2020)
2020-11-175Initial Case Management Scheduling Order with ADR Deadlines: Case Management Statement due by 2/10/2021. Initial Case Management Conference set for 2/17/2021 01:30 PM in Oakland, Courtroom 4, 3rd Floor. (jmlS, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 11/17/2020) (Entered: 11/17/2020)
2020-11-196CONSENT/DECLINATION to Proceed Before a US Magistrate Judge by Lee Fang, First Look Media Works, Inc... (Burke, Thomas) (Filed on 11/19/2020) (Entered: 11/19/2020)
2020-11-207CLERK'S NOTICE OF IMPENDING REASSIGNMENT TO A U.S. DISTRICT COURT JUDGE: The Clerk of this Court will now randomly reassign this case to a District Judge because either (1) a party has not consented to the jurisdiction of a Magistrate Judge, or (2) time is of the essence in deciding a pending judicial action for which the necessary consents to Magistrate Judge jurisdiction have not been secured. You will be informed by separate notice of the district judge to whom this case is reassigned. ALL HEARING DATES PRESENTLY SCHEDULED BEFORE THE CURRENT MAGISTRATE JUDGE ARE VACATED AND SHOULD BE RE-NOTICED FOR HEARING BEFORE THE JUDGE TO WHOM THIS CASE IS REASSIGNED. This is a text only docket entry; there is no document associated with this notice. (amgS, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 11/20/2020) (Entered: 11/20/2020)
2020-11-238ORDER REASSIGNING CASE. Case reassigned using a proportionate, random, and blind system pursuant to General Order No. 44 to Judge Saundra Brown Armstrong for all further proceedings. Magistrate Judge Donna M. Ryu no longer assigned to case, Signed by the Clerk on 11/23/2020. (anjS, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 11/23/2020) (Entered: 11/23/2020)
2020-11-249CASE MANAGEMENT SCHEDULING ORDER FOR REASSIGNED CIVIL CASE:Joint Case Management Statement due by 2/10/2020. Initial Case Management Conference set for 2/17/2021 02:45 PM in Oakland, - Telephonic Only. Signed by Judge Saundra Brown Armstrong on 11/24/2020. (Attachments: # 1 Standing Order)(amgS, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 11/24/2020) (Entered: 11/24/2020)
2020-11-2510NOTICE of Voluntary Dismissal by Lee Fang, First Look Media Works, Inc. (Burke, Thomas) (Filed on 11/25/2020) (Entered: 11/25/2020)
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by FOIA Project Staff
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