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	This booklet is designed as a general "do-it-yourself" guide to using the federal Freedom of Information Act. This is the ninth edition of the guide, which was originally published in 1976 and has been updated and expanded to include recent court opinions that affect the FOI Act. This booklet was researched and edited by The FOI Service Center, a project of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. It describes how to use the Act as an effective investigative tool, and provides sample letters, forms and directories to assist you in dealing with the government promptly and effectively.
Table of Contents A Guide To The Act Introduction The FOI Act A brief overview of how the act works What agencies are covered? What records are available and how do you ask for them? Do you have to file a request for any information you want? Who may use the FOI Act? Try the informal approach first How to make a formal request A simple letter is all you need You may have to pay fees You may ask for a fee waiver How quickly will the government respond? You may be entitled to expedited review You may want to alter your request to put it on a fastest track You may be able to inspect the records personally How to appeal an initial denial of your request How to file your FOI Act lawsuit Provisions for employee sanctions Disclosure Exemptions National Security Internal Agency Rules Statutory Exemption Trade Secrets Internal Agency Memoranda Personal Privacy Law Enforcement Records Bank Reports Oil and Gas Well Data An FOI Alternative: Declassification Review Endnotes Appendices A: Sample FOI Act Request Letter B: Sample FOI Act Appeal Letter C: Sample FOI Act Complaint D: Sample Vaughn Motion E: Sample Privacy Act Request Letter F: Major Supreme Court FOI Act Cases G: Directory of Executive Departments and Agencies H: Text of the Federal FOI Act
How To Use The Federal FOI Act 9th Edition Editor Rebecca Daugherty, Director FOI Service Center Managing Editor Gregg P. Leslie Copy Editor Jeff Lemberg Funding for this guide provided by: Sigma Delta Chi Foundation of the Society of Professional Journalists Newsday, Inc. Scripps Howard Foundation St. Petersburg Times Fund, Inc. The FOI Service Center is a project of The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press Lucy Dalglish, Executive Director © 2004 by The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press Individual copies and bulk orders of this guide are available through the Reporters Committee. Call or write for pricing information. Please address all inquiries to: The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press 1815 N. Fort Myer Dr., Suite 900 Arlington, VA 22209 (703) 807-2100