Category Archives: Requester Roundtable
June 16 Requester Roundtable on FOIA Websites
Have you ever spent far too long searching for something on an agency’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) website or thought to yourself, “there are certain types of information that every agency should include on its FOIA website”? If so, … Continue reading
Agencies Using Technology to Provide Estimated Dates of Completion
Providing estimated dates of completion can be a challenge—but it’s also the law. As we’ve previously noted, Congress amended FOIA in 2007 to require agencies to provide requesters with estimated dates of completion when asked. We think that estimated dates … Continue reading
Mark Your Calendars: DHS Requester Roundtable Scheduled for March 25
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently announced that on Wednesday, March 25 from 2 to 3:00 pm (Eastern), DHS Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) staff will hold a Requester Roundtable teleconference. This is a fantastic opportunity for members of … Continue reading
Requester Roundtable Canceled
We looked forward to meeting with the requester community today, but it seems that Mother Nature has other ideas. The FOIA Requester Roundtable scheduled for Wednesday, January 22, 2014, “Providing Estimated Dates of Completion,” is canceled because of the government’s delayed … Continue reading
Upcoming FOIA Requester Roundtable: Estimated Completion Dates
We’ve written before about the importance of providing estimated completion dates to requesters — not only is it good customer service, but since 2007, it’s the law. Unfortunately, OGIS still hears from many requesters with delayed requests who have not … Continue reading
Upcoming Requester Roundtable Discussion: Appeals
We at OGIS talk quite a bit about the importance of the FOIA administrative process, which includes the all-important appeal. But what is an appeal, exactly, and what should it include? What are some best practices for an agency’s appeal … Continue reading
Surging ahead into the electronic world
As we move toward a more digitized society, we’re continually looking to build upon electronic access and management of government records. FOIA requesters and agency FOIA professionals came together this week to discuss issues they face working with electronic records. … Continue reading
Reboot your e-records knowledge July 24
It would seem that the use of electronic records would simplify the FOIA process; if agencies don’t have to reproduce and redact paper, that’s got to be easier, right? In reality, electronic records raise lots of questions for FOIA programs. … Continue reading
Reconciling FOIA and the Privacy Act
When you request records about yourself from the Federal government, agencies apply both the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Privacy Act of 1974 (Privacy Act) to grant the most access possible. FOIA and the Privacy Act have different … Continue reading
Upcoming Requester Roundtable Discussion: The Privacy Act and FOIA
Both the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Privacy Act contain provisions that grant a right of access to Federal records. Hear from government experts in both fields about The Intersection of the Privacy Act and the Freedom of Information … Continue reading