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| Back to Law & the Media home page Freedom of InformationThe Freedom of Information ActIn 1974 the United States Congress liberally amended the Freedom of Information Act in an effort to remove some of the procedural obstacles set up by bureaucrats. The original act had been passed in 1966 and went into effect on July 4, 1967. It was 11 years in the making. The revised act was passed by Congress over President Gerald Ford’s veto and went into effect in 1975. The original law required federal agencies to make their records promptly available to any person. Nine categories were exempt. The law permitted a person who was refused a federal record to seek an injunction. As amended, the law set time limits for federal agencies to respond to requests for information and complaints filled under the act and forbids excessive fees. The law also allows federal judges to examine requested documents to decide whether they are properly classified. Congress in 1996 passed the Electronic Freedom of Information Act to extend federal freedom of information provisions to computerized records. The new law entitles anyone making an FOI request to access database information as well as paper records. A provision of the 1996 act provides for expedited review when the subject matter of the request is of “compelling urgency to the public.” Title 5, section 552, U.S. Code. Among the Internet sites dealing with the Freedom of Information Act is the one at the Freedom of Information Center at the University of Missouri. It is http://www.missouri.edu/~foiwww/ The site contains links and sample letters. Anyone may subscribe to the center’s e-mail newsletter, the FOI Advocate. Your Right to Federal Records may be seen at the Consumer Information Center of the federal government at www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic A guide to using the Freedom of Information Act is available at www.thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ A reference guide to the Freedom of Information Act is available at www.usdoj.gov. |