What the FOIA is GLOMAR?!

Images courtesy of Central Intelligence Agency. FOIA can be a challenge for even the most seasoned requester, and jargony language and acronyms make things even more confusing. Case in point: the term “Glomar” is often used to describe a FOIA response where the agency neither confirms nor denies (NCND) the existence of responsive records. Knowing where … Continue reading What the FOIA is GLOMAR?!

FOIA Advisory Committee Seeks Input on Draft Model Determination Letter

"Here Lies a Good Idea. Don't Let Your Idea Die. Put it in the Suggestion Box Today." National Archives Identifier 514482 As presented and discussed at the June 8, 2023, FOIA Advisory Committee Meeting, the Modernization Subcommittee seeks public feedback on a model determination letter from federal agencies, FOIA requesters, and the public, before finalizing … Continue reading FOIA Advisory Committee Seeks Input on Draft Model Determination Letter

FOIA Communication: Keep it Simple!

Dr. Edwin McMillan with mousetrap cigarette lighter atom smasher apparatus (Rube Goldberg inspired). Photograph taken March 21, 1974. XBB743-1774. [Photograph by: Steve Gerber] National Archives Identifier 39146966 Plain language has long been an interest of ours as we have observed that clear, concise and well-organized correspondence smoothes the FOIA process for all. After we put … Continue reading FOIA Communication: Keep it Simple!

Understanding the Office of Government Information Services (part 4/4)

"Information" World War II Posters, 1942 - 1945. National Archives Identifier 514625 In our previous blog posts “Understanding the Office of Government Information Services,” parts 1, 2 and 3,  we provided a basic overview of OGIS and highlighted our dispute resolution and compliance work. In this wrap-up post we’ll further explain the important work of … Continue reading Understanding the Office of Government Information Services (part 4/4)

Understanding the Office of Government Information Services (part 3/4)

https://giphy.com/gifs/usnationalarchives-archives-archivesgif-naid12065-1alh12SmIXpUoZEQar Your National Archives by US National Archives via GIPHY. National Archives Identifier 12065 In our previous two blog posts “Understanding the Office of Government Information Services” parts 1 and 2, we provided a basic overview of how OGIS is structured and highlighted aspects of our dispute resolution program. In this post we’ll touch on … Continue reading Understanding the Office of Government Information Services (part 3/4)

Understanding the Office of Government Information Services (part 2/4)

FLASHES OF ACTION [WORLD WAR I], 1921? via GIPHY. National Archives Identifier 35458 In our previous blog post “Understanding the Office of Government Information Services,” we provided a basic overview of  OGIS’s history and structure. In this post we’ll focus on our mediation program.   How are requests for OGIS assistance handled? FOIA requesters and agencies … Continue reading Understanding the Office of Government Information Services (part 2/4)

Understanding the Office of Government Information Services (part 1/4)

Office of Government Information Services logo As we at the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) celebrate our 13th birthday, Ombuds Day, and Mediation Week, we want to provide a refresher and overview of our services and explain a bit more about what we do as a part of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) … Continue reading Understanding the Office of Government Information Services (part 1/4)

OIP Director recaps AG Garland FOIA Memo

U.S. Department of Justice Office of Information Policy Director Bobby Talebian. U.S. Department of Justice Office of Information Policy (OIP) Director Bobby Talebian provided an update on the Attorney General guidelines at this year’s American Society of Access Professionals National Training Conference in Arlington, Va. With regard to FOIA’s  foreseeable harm standard, which Congress added … Continue reading OIP Director recaps AG Garland FOIA Memo

International Conference of Information Commissioners Issues Statement on Access to Information

The International Conference of Information Commissioners (ICIC) met in June via hybrid (online and in-person) for the 13th  International Conference. Alina M. Semo, OGIS Director, serves on the Executive Committee of the ICIC.  As a part of this year’s work at the conference, the Commission issued a public statement around access to information, specifically that … Continue reading International Conference of Information Commissioners Issues Statement on Access to Information

OGIS Publishes Issue Assessment on First-party Requests

Each day, people seeking records about themselves use the FOIA process to obtain their records as they navigate health care, employment, immigration, law enforcement or other issues that intersect in some way with the federal government. A government-wide look at what are known as “first-party requests” shows that the records requesters seek about themselves fall … Continue reading OGIS Publishes Issue Assessment on First-party Requests