Category «Freedom of Information»

Privacy Expert Steven Aftergood's Work A Matter of Public Record

As Director of the Project on Government Secrecy, Steven Aftergood has let the light shine in on the otherwise secret world of “sensitive” government documents, much to the benefit of scholars, researchers, librarians, journalists and interested citizens. This profile of his work by Federal Computer Week is worth a read. Related news and postings: Washington …

Subjects: Freedom of Information, Government Documents, Legal Research, Privacy

FOIA Request Unexpectedly Yields Formerly Redacted DHS Report Two Years After Publication

Elizabeth Williamson at the Washington Post clearly and concisely documents, through the use of before and after graphics, the impact of redacting text from a DHS report, and its subsequent revelation, years later, as a result of a FOIA request. Related postings on over classification of government documents

Subjects: E-Government, Freedom of Information, Government Documents, Legal Research

DoD Removes FOIA Regulation on "For Official Use Only"

“SUMMARY: This documents removes Subpart D, “For Official Use Only” (FOUO) from 32 CFR part 286, “DoD Freedom of Information Act Program Regulations” and reserves that subpart for future use. Removing this from 32 CFR part 286 will eliminate confusion of the authoritative FOUO guidance and who is the authority on FOUO. This removal will …

Subjects: E-Government, Freedom of Information, Government Documents, Legal Research

Public May Now Request and Obtain New York Records Via Email

Effective October 25, 2006 the public may request records from state and local agencies [“any New York State or municipal department, board, bureau, division, commission, committee, public authority, public corporation, council, office or other governmental entity performing a governmental or proprietary function is subject to the Law”], via email in New York. See the Freedom …

Subjects: E-Government, E-Mail, Freedom of Information, Government Documents

Bloggers' FAQ on the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

Press release: “Today, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has released tips for bloggers who want the inside story on government agencies. The Bloggers’ FAQ on the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) outlines how to use open government laws to get access to records kept by federal agencies like the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the …

Subjects: Blogs, Civil Liberties, Freedom of Information, Government Documents, Legal Research

Boxer Calls on Baker to Release Initial Recommendations on Iraq War

Press release – Portion of letter addressed to James A. Baker III, Co-Chair Iraq Study Group: “…Over the past several weeks, you have repeatedly said that the Iraq Study Group would not provide an independent assessment on the situation in Iraq until after the November midterm elections. Given the critical need to change course on …

Subjects: Congress, Freedom of Information, Legal Research

New on LLRX.com

New on LLRX.com for October 15, 2006 Competitive Intelligence – A Selective Resource Guide, Updated, by Sabrina I. Pacifici and Donna Cavallini Criminal Justice Resources: Juvenile Law and Family Court Resources, by Ken Strutin Deal or No Deal – Licensing & Acquiring Digital Resources, by Kara Phillips The Tao of Law Librarianship: Flickr is the …

Subjects: Congress, E-Government, Freedom of Information, Government Documents, Knowledge Management, Legal Research, Libraries

AG Issues Report to President Regarding the Administration of FOIA

Press release: “Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales submitted to President Bush today the Department’s report regarding the government-wide administration of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Today’s report is the result of the first of three Justice Department reviews required under Executive Order 13392 titled, Improving Agency Disclosure of Information. The executive order, signed by …

Subjects: Freedom of Information, Government Documents

One in Four Vets of Afghanistan Wars Are Filing Disability Claims

Press release: “One in four veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars are filing disability claims, according to records released by the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) under the Freedom of Information Act after nine months of denying their existence and posted today on the National Security Archive Web site.” Document 1: VBA report, …

Subjects: E-Government, Freedom of Information, Government Documents

CRS Report on Protection of Security-Related Information

Protection of Security-Related Information, September 27, 2006. “The terrorist attacks of September 11 prompted a reevaluation of how to balance public access to information with the need for safety and security. The accumulation of confidential business information from owners and operators of the nation’s critical infrastructures, 85% of which is reportedly owned by the private …

Subjects: E-Government, Freedom of Information, Government Documents, Legal Research, Legislation

"Rider" Letter to Be Used by Agencies for FOIA Guide

“As announced earlier through FOIA Post, the Office of Information and Privacy is planning to publish the 2006 edition of the Department of Justice’s Freedom of Information Act Guide next month. The 2006 edition of the FOIA Guide is scheduled to be published through the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) in November, with a delivery …

Subjects: E-Government, Freedom of Information, Government Documents, Legal Research