the freedom of information act · 2012-08-14 · the freedom of information act what the government...
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The Freedom of Information ActThe Freedom of Information ActWhat the Government DoesnWhat the Government Doesn’’t Want You to t Want You to
Know, and How You Can Find OutKnow, and How You Can Find Out
Presentation for:Presentation for:
Conservative Political Action Conservative Political Action ConferenceConference
Washington, DCWashington, DCFebruary 27, 2009February 27, 2009
Agenda Agenda
JW: Investigations, LitigationJW: Investigations, LitigationHistory of FOIAHistory of FOIAUnderstanding and Using FOIAUnderstanding and Using FOIARequests, Denials, Appeals & Exemptions.Requests, Denials, Appeals & Exemptions.Record Analysis & Exploitation.Record Analysis & Exploitation.Examples, What Ifs, Q&A.Examples, What Ifs, Q&A.
Judicial Watch Judicial Watch
Promotes transparency, Promotes transparency, integrity, integrity, accountability.accountability.In government, politics & the law.In government, politics & the law.As an:As an:
Educational foundation, Educational foundation, Public interest law firm, Public interest law firm, Member of the media.Member of the media.
Use of open records & open meetings laws.Use of open records & open meetings laws.Fidelity to the Rule of Law.Fidelity to the Rule of Law.
History of FOIAHistory of FOIA
19551955--65: John Moss, Donald Rumsfeld65: John Moss, Donald RumsfeldJuly 4, 1966: LBJ enacts FOIAJuly 4, 1966: LBJ enacts FOIA19721972--74: Problems, Oversight Hearings74: Problems, Oversight Hearings1996: 1996: ““EE--FOIAFOIA”” amendmentsamendments2007: OPEN Government Act2007: OPEN Government ActJanuary 2009: ObamaJanuary 2009: Obama’’s FOIA memorandums FOIA memorandum
FOIA OverviewFOIA Overview
Can be used by anyone, regardless of citizenship.Can be used by anyone, regardless of citizenship.No requirement to show purpose or need.No requirement to show purpose or need.Must be in writing, including fax/email.Must be in writing, including fax/email.
FOIA OverviewFOIA Overview
All executive agencies are subject to FOIA, All executive agencies are subject to FOIA, including EOP & independent regulators.including EOP & independent regulators.NotNot subject to FOIA:subject to FOIA:
Congress & the Courts.Congress & the Courts.Personal staff of the President.Personal staff of the President.State & local governments (State laws).State & local governments (State laws).Private entities/corporations.Private entities/corporations.
FOIA OverviewFOIA Overview
A proper request:A proper request:Reasonably describes the records sought.Reasonably describes the records sought.Complies with the agencyComplies with the agency’’s published regulations.s published regulations.Requester should always clearly state contact info for Requester should always clearly state contact info for clarification.clarification.
FOIA OverviewFOIA Overview
Who can make a request?Who can make a request?““Any person.Any person.””Individuals, corporations, associations, state & local Individuals, corporations, associations, state & local governments, foreign governments.governments, foreign governments.
Exceptions Exceptions ---- those not permitted:those not permitted:Federal agencies.Federal agencies.Fugitives.Fugitives.Foreign governments re: intelligence.Foreign governments re: intelligence.
FOIA OverviewFOIA Overview
What is an agency record?What is an agency record?Created or obtained by an agency.Created or obtained by an agency.Under agency control.Under agency control.Includes paper, tapes, digital, photo, video, Includes paper, tapes, digital, photo, video, electronic, etc.electronic, etc.Must provide in form requested Must provide in form requested ifif ““readily readily reproducible.reproducible.””
FOIA OverviewFOIA Overview
Time LimitsTime Limits20 working days to respond.20 working days to respond.One 10 working day extension for:One 10 working day extension for:
Searching/collecting records from other offices.Searching/collecting records from other offices.Voluminous responsive records.Voluminous responsive records.Consultation with another agency/component.Consultation with another agency/component.
Agencies can NOT charge fees on overdue Agencies can NOT charge fees on overdue FOIAsFOIAs
FOIA OverviewFOIA Overview
New time limit New time limit ““circumstancescircumstances””::UnusualUnusual ---- involves field offices, voluminous involves field offices, voluminous records, or consultation with 2(+) components or an records, or consultation with 2(+) components or an outside agency.outside agency.ExceptionalExceptional ---- involves workload excuses tied to involves workload excuses tied to demonstrating backlog reduction demonstrating backlog reduction -- OR OR -- requester requester refusal to reasonably modify/clarify a request or refusal to reasonably modify/clarify a request or time frame.time frame.
FOIA OverviewFOIA Overview
Expedited ProcessingExpedited ProcessingCompelling need Compelling need ---- imminent threat to life or imminent threat to life or physical safety of an individual.physical safety of an individual.Urgency to inform the public concerning Urgency to inform the public concerning FedGovFedGovactivity from a requester primarily engaged in activity from a requester primarily engaged in disseminating information.disseminating information.Agencies can create other standards.Agencies can create other standards.
FOIA OverviewFOIA Overview
The Search for RecordsThe Search for RecordsReasonably calculated to locate responsive records.Reasonably calculated to locate responsive records.Not locating all requested records does not cast Not locating all requested records does not cast doubt on an otherwise reasonable search.doubt on an otherwise reasonable search.Applies to electronic records as well.Applies to electronic records as well.““ConsultationsConsultations”” & & ““Referrals.Referrals.””
FOIA OverviewFOIA Overview
Administrative Appeals.Administrative Appeals.Designated agency official reviews procedure.Designated agency official reviews procedure.All or part of request denied, or no responsive All or part of request denied, or no responsive records located.records located.
Judicial Review.Judicial Review.Lawsuit in US District Court.Lawsuit in US District Court.
Your locality.Your locality.District of Columbia. District of Columbia.
FOIA OverviewFOIA Overview
FeesFeesAgencies may charge reasonable direct costs.Agencies may charge reasonable direct costs.OMB established a uniform fee schedule.OMB established a uniform fee schedule.Types:Types:
SearchSearchReview (commercial requesters only)Review (commercial requesters only)DuplicationDuplication
Time limit violation voids assessment.Time limit violation voids assessment.
FOIA OverviewFOIA Overview
More re: FeesMore re: FeesNews media & nonNews media & non--profits:profits:
Acknowledgment of evolution of news delivery.Acknowledgment of evolution of news delivery.Duplication fees only Duplication fees only ---- 100 free pages.100 free pages.
““OtherOther””::Search & duplication charges.Search & duplication charges.2 hours & 100 pages free.2 hours & 100 pages free.
Payment in advance over $250.Payment in advance over $250.
FOIA OverviewFOIA Overview
Resources & ReferencesResources & ReferencesJudicial Watch Open Records Project.Judicial Watch Open Records Project.JW Website.JW Website.
www.JudicialWatch.orgwww.JudicialWatch.orgDepartment of Justice FOIA Guide.Department of Justice FOIA Guide.
www.usdoj.gov/oipwww.usdoj.gov/oipReporters Committee for Freedom of the Press.Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press.
www.rcfp.orgwww.rcfp.org
Records Analysis & ExploitationRecords Analysis & Exploitation
YouYou’’ve got your records ve got your records ---- now what?now what?Goals of original request met?Goals of original request met?Administrative and/or legal action.Administrative and/or legal action.Public education.Public education.
Reports, newsletters, etc.Reports, newsletters, etc.Media opportunitiesMedia opportunities
The request in hindsight.The request in hindsight.““ExternalsExternals”” of record production.of record production.
Records Analysis & ExploitationRecords Analysis & Exploitation
Claims of Exemption.Claims of Exemption.9 categories of information that may lawfully be 9 categories of information that may lawfully be exempt from disclosure.exempt from disclosure.3 3 ““exclusionsexclusions”” for law enforcement purposes.for law enforcement purposes.Can be challenged in an appeal.Can be challenged in an appeal.Challenged by judicial review. Challenged by judicial review.
ExemptionsExemptions
b(1) b(1) ---- Classified information (Classified information (““GlomarGlomar””).).
b(5) b(5) ---- ““deliberative processdeliberative process”” or not available by or not available by law to a party in litigation with the agency.law to a party in litigation with the agency.
b(6) b(6) ---- Privacy. Privacy. ““Personnel and medical files and Personnel and medical files and similar filessimilar files”” where disclosure where disclosure ““would constitute a would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.””
b(7)b(7)---- Ongoing law enforcement (LE) proceedings.Ongoing law enforcement (LE) proceedings.
ExclusionsExclusions
c(1)c(1) ---- LE LE ““GlomarGlomar””c(2)c(2) ---- LE informant, unless officially confirmed LE informant, unless officially confirmed ---- then releasable. then releasable. c(3)c(3) ---- Special category FBI records.Special category FBI records.
JWJW’’ss ““Open Records ProjectOpen Records Project””
Defining requirements & composing records Defining requirements & composing records request strategy.request strategy.Identifying agencies, components, activities.Identifying agencies, components, activities.Making the request.Making the request.Record production review and analysis.Record production review and analysis.Handling denials, exemptions & appeals process.Handling denials, exemptions & appeals process.LitigationLitigation
Discussion PeriodDiscussion Period
ExamplesExamples
What ifsWhat ifs
Q&AQ&A
FOIA FOIA ““War StoriesWar Stories””
Contact: Contact:
Tegan MillspawProgram [email protected]
Judicial Watch501 School Street, SW
Washington, DCTel: 202-646-5172Fax: 202-646-5199
www.JudicialWatch.org