One of the most common questions that we receive about OGIS’s work is: “What kinds of FOIA disputes do you see?” If you are interested in learning more about our cases, check out the case closure letters posted on our website. We first announced that we would post our case closure letters during Sunshine Week 2014. … Continue reading OGIS Case Closure Letters Available on our Website
The use of “still interested” letters is a hot topic in the FOIA community, both with requesters and agencies. In October 2014, about a dozen organizations representing the interests of the requester community wrote to the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) to request that we look into the use of these letters to administratively … Continue reading Play Under Review: Agency Use of “Still Interested” Letters
How about we start off by asking you to tell us a little about yourself? Most importantly, I’m a family man. I have three kids and a wonderful wife. I’m originally from California and lived a number of places during my thirteen years as a part of the Air Force, including Florida, England, the Azores … Continue reading Meet OGIS’s New Director, James Holzer
Archivist of the United States David Ferriero announced the appointment of James Holzer as the Director of the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) on July 21, 2015, effective August 9. We hope all of you will join us in welcoming Dr. Holzer to the OGIS staff! Dr. Holzer comes to OGIS from the Department … Continue reading Archivist Appoints New OGIS Director
The White House will host a public meeting Thursday July 30 at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) to gather ideas on steps the government should take to make itself more open and accountable. RSVP now to reserve your seat for the 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. session! In October the Administration will release the third … Continue reading The Best Laid Plans: Public National Action Plan Session Set for July 30
Just days after FOIA celebrated its 49th birthday on July 4, the Department of Justice's Office of Information Policy (OIP) announced a pilot project aimed at improving government transparency by making almost all records released under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) available to anyone online. FOIA offices in seven agencies, including the Office of General … Continue reading FOIA Gets an Online Makeover for its 49th Birthday!
A little over a month ago, 18F—the digital services shop at the General Services Administration that’s modeled after tech-sector start-ups—released openFOIA. This website gives requesters a central location to learn how to make Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to any of the 100 federal departments and agencies that process public requests for records. The … Continue reading Where Can I Get Basic FOIA Facts?
As we’ve noted previously, the United States is a part of the Open Government Partnership (OGP), a global effort to make governments more open and accountable to the public. Countries that participate in OGP are required to develop and carry out action plans that include concrete commitments to make the government—you guessed it—more open. These … Continue reading How Would You Modernize FOIA?
Do you love the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and want to help improve it? If so, read on – there may be a role for you on the Federal FOIA Advisory Committee! We hope you already know that the Committee is a diverse group of FOIA experts from inside and outside the government who share … Continue reading FOIA Needs YOU: Apply Today for the FOIA Advisory Committee
It’s easy for requesters and agencies to agree that administrative appeals are an important part of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. It’s not as easy for agencies and requesters to agree on what warrants an appeal. FOIA requires an agency to notify requesters of their right to appeal “any adverse determination” (5 USC … Continue reading (FOIA) Appeal is in the Eye of the Beholder
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