OGIS Shares FOIA Tips at IRE Conference

Last week our Attorney Advisor, Sheela Portonovo, attended the 2018 Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE) Conference to share best practices for successfully navigating the FOIA process. Below is a brief summary of the major issues with the FOIA process we regularly hear about from reporters (and others), and some of the tips she shared. Issue … Continue reading OGIS Shares FOIA Tips at IRE Conference

An Update – and Request for Input – from the FOIA Advisory Committee

On January 19, 2016, the federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Advisory Committee held its seventh quarterly meeting at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. We heard from the  three subcommittees: Oversight and Accountability, FOIA Fees, and Proactive Disclosure.  If you were not able to join us in person, you can still get in on … Continue reading An Update – and Request for Input – from the FOIA Advisory Committee

Photograph of District Ranger Harley Hamm Using a Surveying Compass

FOIA Advisory Committee Surveys: Examining the FOIA Landscape

As we’ve previously mentioned, two subcommittees of the FOIA Advisory Committee -- Oversight and Accountability, and Fees -- have developed surveys to learn more about the areas they are examining. These surveys were recently sent to FOIA Public Liaisons (FPLs) and Federal FOIA professionals across the government. The purpose of the FPL survey is to … Continue reading FOIA Advisory Committee Surveys: Examining the FOIA Landscape

Advisory Committee Meeting Set for April 21: Reserve Your Seat Now!

It’s time for another meeting of the federal FOIA Advisory Committee! Be sure to reserve your seat now for our Tuesday April 21 meeting from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Archivist’s Reception Room at the National Archives and Records Administration in Washington, DC. Similar to our last few meetings, the Committee’s subcommittees will … Continue reading Advisory Committee Meeting Set for April 21: Reserve Your Seat Now!

Federal FOIA Advisory Committee Welcomes Sunshine Week

The Federal FOIA Advisory Committee is pleased to issue a joint statement, below, honoring the 10th anniversary of Sunshine Week. As regular readers of our blog know, the FOIA Advisory Committee is comprised of FOIA experts from inside and outside of government. Committee members are working collaboratively to address major issues in the FOIA process and … Continue reading Federal FOIA Advisory Committee Welcomes Sunshine Week

Throwback Thursday: The Difference between FOIA’s Fee Categories and Fee Waiver

In honor of throwback Thursday, we’re bringing up a topic that we’ve covered previously in this post: the difference between FOIA’s fee categories and fee waivers. This topic is an oldie but a goodie, and confusion about the topic abounds. Let’s start with the basics FOIA includes three basic requester categories for the purposes of … Continue reading Throwback Thursday: The Difference between FOIA’s Fee Categories and Fee Waiver

Make your voice heard: the FOIA Advisory Committee seeks public comments

On January 27, 2015 the FOIA Advisory Committee met to discuss its progress on examining three important FOIA issues: proactive disclosures, FOIA fees, and FOIA oversight and accountability. The Committee opened the meeting by voting unanimously to approve the October 21, 2014 meeting minutes. The Committee also approved the bylaws drafted by the Committee’s Bylaws … Continue reading Make your voice heard: the FOIA Advisory Committee seeks public comments

FOIA Advisory Committee to Meet January 27, 2015

  Mark your calendars and reserve your seat for the next meeting of the FOIA Advisory Committee on Tuesday, January 27 from 10 a.m.  to 1 p.m. The meeting will be in the Archivist’s Reception Room (Room 105) at the National Archives Building, 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, in Washington, D.C. Space is limited and our … Continue reading FOIA Advisory Committee to Meet January 27, 2015

10/21 FOIA Advisory Committee Meeting Wrap-Up

On October 21, 2014, the FOIA Advisory Committee met to continue its efforts to examine and address FOIA oversight and accountability, proactive disclosure, and FOIA fees. Archivist of the U.S. David S. Ferriero opened the meeting by noting that the momentum behind government openness and transparency is growing around the globe. In September, President Obama … Continue reading 10/21 FOIA Advisory Committee Meeting Wrap-Up