Freedom of Information Service Center


FOIA Guides:


How to use the Federal FOI Act

How to Use the Federal FOI Act

A guide to help you use the Act as an effective investigative tool, with discussions of each of the Act's exemptions.


The Open Government Guide

A detailed guide to all the states' open records and meetings acts, including discussions of exemptions and procedures for requesting records and fighting denials.


Access to Electronic Records

This guide provides an overview and a 50-state summary of laws affecting computerized government records.


The First Amendment Handbook

This guide to all aspects of legal issues important to reporters includes a chapter on open records and meetings.


The Lost Stories

How a steady stream of government decisions has eroded reporting on important issues (Fall 2003)


Medical Privacy vs. the Public Interest:

A reporter's guide to HIPAA, restrictive new medical rules that will affect how journalists cover stories.


FOIA 411: Practical advice

A Q&A with a FOIA expert


Recent FOIA news stories on our site:

Mar 05: Universities can keep marketing information secret

Mar 04: Court reverses ruling blocking release of farm information

Feb 20: Judge denies request to release historical cemetery records

Feb 15: Governor signs open records reform bill

Feb 08: Records must be released in timely fashion, court rules

Feb 05: Proposed budget eliminates new FOIA ombudsman position

Jan 18: Court rules state employee birth dates are public

Dec 19: FOIA bill passes Congress, awaits president's signature

Dec 18: Judge orders release of White House visitor records

Dec 06: State Supreme Court reverses public disclosure decision

Nov 30: State attorney general backs limits on gun permit data

Nov 30: FOIA panel calls for release of city documents

Nov 26: Governor signs open government bill of rights

Nov 13: State agency must release federal immigration raid records

Nov 01: Corrections agency settles records dispute for $65,000

Oct 26: NASA FOIA denial prompts congressional questions

Oct 26: Foundation wins access to education vouchers

Oct 24: Tax bills remain public records

Oct 24: Conservation group wins suit over forest records fee

Oct 24: Schwarzenegger vetoes open meetings bill

 

Other FOIA resources:

The Brechner Center for Freedom of Information

National Freedom of Information Coalition

Society of Professional Journalists (FOI page)

Legal Defense Hotline:

1-800-336-4243

or

rcfp@rcfp.org


The Hotline is available for journalists and media lawyers who encounter problems with access to information, records or meetings. Our attorneys can help you find a local attorney if necessary, and can provide you with assistance in negotiating with the government.


FOIA Letter Generator

This page will walk you through the steps to creating an effective federal FOIA request, complete with federal agency addresses and options for fee limits and waivers.


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