FOIA Files

Still your favorite FOIA story of the month? More musings on what the beer recipe FOIA says about the Obama administration’s commitment to transparency (or not), from the Washington Examiner. Some White House offices are exempt from the law, several are expressly covered, but most offices, being creatures of whimsical, […]

Illinois journalists have been on Gov. Pat Quinn’s case for a month since the Illinois lawmaker forbade them from touring state prisons, citing a “security risk.” Curious about the sudden change in policy while two major state facilities face closure despite overcrowding, the Associated Press filed a FOIA with the […]

An editorial from the Virginian-Pilot about an attempt to extend a uniquely convenient luxury to more elected officials. Under current law, state officials have enjoyed wiggle room that their counterparts in municipalities have not: They can participate in meetings by phone or video so long as they comply with certain […]

Here’s the quick-and-dirty on three statutory exclusions recently added by Congress to national FOIA policy, via guidance issued Friday by the Department of Justice. The three exclusions target circumstances where even acknowledging the existence of certain records can threaten law enforcement or national security interests. In these three cases, federal […]

Harvard Law School professor Jack Goldsmith specializes in national security law, presidential power, cybersecurity, international law, internet law, foreign relations law, and conflict of laws. On his Lawfare blog Thursday, he previewed the scheduled oral arguments over a contentious FOIA dispute involving the American Civil Liberties Union and the Central […]

The following is an e-mail education activist Matt Farmer sent to Asst. Attorney General Tola Sobitan detailing his ongoing FOIA battle with Chicago Public Schools, reprinted with his permission. Weigh in with your thoughts in the comments. Ms. Tola Sobitan (asobitan@atg.state.il.us) Assistant Attorney General — Public Access Bureau 100 W. […]

Agencies can charge for the execution of FOIA requests, but a newly-proposed bill in the Michigan State House would put a cap on those costs. Proponents of the bill say exorbitant fees are prohibitive and can be used to restrict access to information. But when hearings kicked off Tuesday, some […]

Every year, the Society of Professional Journalists  recognizes people and organizations that have made notable contributions to open government with a Sunshine Award. This year, three organizations were chosen, and will be honored at the SPJ President’s Installation Banquet at Excellence in Journalism 2012 on Sept. 22. Honorees are Bloomberg News, The Medill […]

According to watchdog group Judicial Watch, the Obama administration isn’t as forthcoming with FOIA requests that aren’t about beer. The agency filed a FOIA request with the Secret Service on March 29 seeking information about the taxpayer cost incurred during Malia Obama’s spring break trip to Mexico. The request was […]

Should non-residents be granted Freedom of Information Requests for state government data? An appeal challenging a Virginia law that prohibits non-Virginians from FOIAing state files is heading to the U.S. Supreme Court for reevaluation. The appeal comes from Mark J. McBurney of Rhode Island and Roger W. Hurlbert of California, […]