Federal mandates requiring that publicly funded research be made openly accessible recast scholarly information as public information and provide an impetus to join the efforts of scholarly communication and government information programs in United States research libraries. Most major research libraries are long-standing participants in the…

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)

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)

Discusses information policy in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Topics include access to government records, including Freedom of Information Act issues; removing or expanding information on government Web sites; state actions; coordination versus secrecy in homeland security; and patterns and trends in federal and state…

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 paper outlines the history and purpose of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which insures the right to access the voluminous files of U.S. government agencies, and explains FOIA implementation procedures for reference librarians assisting patrons. Recent attempts to amend the FOIA are discussed. Thirty-four references are cited. (EJS)

Discusses the 1996 Electronic Freedom of Information Act and examines 17 federal agency Web sites to see how well they comply. Topics include electronic reading rooms to disseminate documents and records, reference guides, annual reports, a lack of consistency, and a high level of wasteful duplication. (LRW)

Journalists and other investigators are daily using declassified government documents to shed light on historical and current events, but few have discovered how to tap the wealth of documents once classified but now in the public realm. An executive order from President Reagan eliminating declassification procedures and allowing released…

Although the goal of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is to make government more open and accountable, a number of unintended effects have resulted. Amendments are proposed to prevent the use of the FOIA by criminals and foreign agents and to place the cost of administering the law on the user. (FMW)

Discusses the history of the concept of freedom of information, development of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and its fluctuations. Explains how to file a FOIA request, what happens when records are released, and what can be done to improve FOIA. Sidebars list FOIA Web sites and material exempted from FOIA. (AEF)

In considering the purposes of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), it is essential to keep in mind that the Act is not, and never could be, a statute with the singleminded purpose of disclosing government information. Many kinds of information that the government has in its possession must be kept confidential to protect important public…

Exemption 1 of the Freedom of Information Act provides for the secret classification of matters that are "specifically required by Executive order to be kept secret in the interest of the national defense or foreign policy." As such, it provides a formidable barrier to the inquisitive citizen or Congress seeking the disclosure of secret…

To aid the public in obtaining information and documents from the files of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) this guide, written with assistance from the FCC staff, explains which office to approach and in what form to make the request. Ways to obtain informaion by visiting the FCC are explained along with methods for obtaining…

Discusses regulations and actions related to government withholding, suppressing, and altering information since September 11, 2001. Topics include conflicting goals of an informed citizenry versus national security, science and technology progress versus protection of sensitive information, and public health versus ideology; political pressure;…