The term “Open Government” is thrown around a lot these days. President Obama made Open Government a keystone of his administration, beginning with the memorandum on Open Government on January 21, 2009. But what does Open Government actually mean? Is Open Government about using technology to make government work better and to disclose vast amounts … Continue reading Open Government: OGIS’s Take
Open Government and Media Experts Make MAGIC
No disappearing documents at this MAGIC show: experts in government access -- from journalists to Federal and state government officials to watch-dog groups -- gathered Tuesday at the National Archives to discuss making government more transparent. While the topics discussed at the Media Access to Government Information Conference (MAGIC) were wide-ranging -- from declassification to … Continue reading Open Government and Media Experts Make MAGIC
Announcement: Upcoming Dispute Resolution Skills Training for FOIA Professionals
FOIA professionals – particularly FOIA Public Liaisons – deal frequently with disputes. In fact, the amended Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. § 552) directs FOIA Public Liaisons to help resolve FOIA disputes. In order to equip these key FOIA staff members with useful tools to productively manage conflict, we are offering a free dispute … Continue reading Announcement: Upcoming Dispute Resolution Skills Training for FOIA Professionals
Mediation Services – Say What?
The OPEN Government Act of 2007 amended the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), in part, to create OGIS. In establishing OGIS’s mission, the newly amended FOIA directs OGIS to offer “mediation services” to resolve disputes between FOIA requesters and Federal agencies. Seems straightforward, right? An agency or a requester approaches OGIS with a problem related … Continue reading Mediation Services – Say What?
Sunshine Week 2011: Catching Up With OGIS
Last week – March 14-18 – was Sunshine Week. Did you feel the glow? This annual initiative, which coincides with national FOI Day and James Madison’s birthday (March 16), is designed to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of information and open government. Why is Sunshine Week celebrated on Madison’s birthday? Besides being instrumental … Continue reading Sunshine Week 2011: Catching Up With OGIS
Announcing: OGIS’s First Report
We are very excited to announce the publication of OGIS’s first report, The First Year: Building Bridges Between FOIA Requesters and Federal Agencies. This publication tells the story of how Director (and first OGIS staff member) Miriam Nisbet stood up a small office with a very big mandate: to improve the Freedom of Information Act … Continue reading Announcing: OGIS’s First Report
Welcome from the Director
This post was written by Miriam Nisbet, former Director of the Office of Government Information Services Hello and welcome to The FOIA Ombudsman: Information and Advice, the official blog of the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS). We know that’s a mouthful, so please call us FOIA Ombudsman for short. We’re so glad you’re here! OGIS … Continue reading Welcome from the Director
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