Last August, the U.S. Department of Education disclosed that 149 nonprofit private colleges and universities had failed its "financial-responsibility test" for fiscal year 2008-2009. This article explains what the financial-responsibility test is and how it is used, explores what the implications might be for colleges and universities,…

In an era of demands for greater accountability in higher education, an increasingly polarized political environment, and scandals such as that at Penn State, access to information is becoming everyone's business, affecting public and independent institutions alike. Although Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) demands are often annoying or…

This paper examines the disclosure and reporting of expenditure under the UK government's "Building Schools for the Future" programme. The study finds that there is little detailed and useful financial reporting, and the public's right to know under Freedom of Information Act 2000 is very limited. The lack of such information makes it…

Discusses three branches of privacy law, including intrusion, disclosure, and false light, as background for a coming article on the right to privacy in the information age. (KRN)

Discusses exemptions to the Freedom of Information Act that prevent disclosure of some types of corporate information supplied to the federal government. Examines case law that has developed around these exemptions and gages the degree to which they block access to corporate information held by the government. (GW)

Argues that government has a commitment to protect the right of the public to government information. Maintains that the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is of value in protecting that right, and that some proposed categorical exemptions from FOIA disclosure requirements are unjustified. (Author/MJL)

In requesting after action reports--Pentagon-prepared summaries of interviews between reporters and Pentagon officials--investigative reporter Jack Taylor both aroused Pentagon opposition and created a rift between the Pentagon press corps and outside reporters. To investigate whether the full-time Pentagon press corps was reporting as…

Two recent judicial and governmental developments appear to tip the scales in favor of the confidentiality of intelligence sources and methods at the expense of any "right of access" to government information. The implementation of the Reagan Administration's Executive Order governing the classification of national security information…

Discusses events that led to the passage of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) of 1966. Problems and abuses associated with the law are described with excerpts of the law regarding required disclosures, disclosure under FOIA, fees, and subjects not available under FOIA. Seventeen references are listed. (CHC)

Provides an overview of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) of 1966 which established the rights of private citizens to obtain information from the federal government and the obligations of the government to provide it. Types of information generally made available, exemptions from disclosure, and creative uses of FOIA are noted. (Author/JEG)

Addresses the research issues raised in several Federal cases involving the Freedom of Information Act. Outlines implications for the possible abrogation of researchers' property rights to their data and the potential breach of the confidential researcher-subject relationship. (Author/APM)

Uses of the Freedom of Information Act are explained by describing previous court cases. The scope of information, including classified information, is detailed and procedural steps for filing requests are outlined. A recent Supreme Court case which may make access to classified information more difficult is discussed. (EM)

Examines the extent to which the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) enables access to information about federally funded university research. Concludes that information on government research grants is covered by the FOIA only if a government agency has possession. (RS)

This report explains how to use the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Privacy Act of 1974. It reflects all changes to the laws made since 1977: major amendments to the Freedom of Information Act passed in 1974 and 1986; a major addition to the Privacy Act of 1974 was enacted in 1988; and minor amendments to the Privacy Act were made in…

This publication reviews means of access to information contained in the public archives (current administrative documents and archival records) and private archives (manuscripts of personal or family origin) of many countries and makes recommendations for improving access to archival information. Sections describe: (1) the origin and development…