<a href="http://www.rcfp.org/fogg/">Federal Open Government Guide</a>

All significant aspects of civic life in the United States are affected by the federal government. The news media — including print, online and broadcast journalists — regularly inform the public about the policies and actions of government.

The public’s ability to receive information about government has been significantly enhanced by the federal Freedom of Information Act, passed in 1966; the Federal Advisory Committee Act, passed in 1972; and the Government in the Sunshine Act, passed in 1976.

Designed as a general "do-it-yourself" guide to using the federal Freedom of Information Act and other federal access laws, this booklet describes how to use the laws as effective investigative tools, and provides sample letters, forms and directories to assist you in dealing with the government promptly and effectively.