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FOIA Guides:
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.
A detailed guide to all the states' open records and meetings acts, including discussions of exemptions and procedures for requesting records and fighting denials.
This guide provides an overview and a 50-state summary of laws affecting computerized government records.
This guide to all aspects of legal issues important to reporters includes a chapter on open records and meetings.
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.
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
Other FOIA resources:
The Brechner Center for Freedom of Information
Legal Defense Hotline:
1-800-336-4243
or
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.
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.