Panel to Discuss Open Government and Artificial Intelligence at Sunshine Week Event

Make plans to join us as the National Archives and Records Administration hosts a panel discussion on “Artificial Intelligence: The Intersection of Public Access and Open Government'' Thursday, March 14, at 1 p.m. ET. This program is being offered during Sunshine Week, an annual nationwide celebration of access to public information. The event will be in … Continue reading Panel to Discuss Open Government and Artificial Intelligence at Sunshine Week Event

FOIA Advisory Committee Meets March 5 – Registration Now Open!

https://giphy.com/gifs/usnationalarchives-vintage-throwback-l0HlLWj5e25b5Ky76 Vintage Type by US National Archives via GIPHY. From National Archives Identifier 94970. The next meeting of the 2022-2024 term of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Advisory Committee is on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. ET.  The Committee will hear updates from its three subcommittees — Resources, Implementation, … Continue reading FOIA Advisory Committee Meets March 5 – Registration Now Open!

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?!

OGIS 2023 Holiday Wish List

https://giphy.com/gifs/usnationalarchives-vintage-christmas-3oz8xJVpGNtM2g8Mhy Santa Claus Christmas by US National Archives via GIPHY. From National Archives Identifier 93140. Last year we shared our OGIS Holiday Wish List here on The FOIA Ombudsman. The jolly man from the North Pole did not bring us our wishes, so we are revising it to reflect upon what OGIS has encountered over … Continue reading OGIS 2023 Holiday Wish List

FOIA Advisory Committee Meets on December 7

A portable electric megaphone is demonstrated by Commander Robert E. Coombs, Coast Guard Assistant Chief of Merchant Marine Inspection. The megaphone, having a self-contained amplifying unit, is used in cases of power failure aboard ships, to give commands from the bridge. National Archives Identifier 205581775 The next meeting of the 2022-2024 term of the Freedom … Continue reading FOIA Advisory Committee Meets on December 7

Giving Our Thanks this November

https://giphy.com/gifs/usnationalarchives-vintage-weird-irbY9jQpbV4Qg Vintage Dress Up by US National Archives via GIPHY. From National Archives Identifier 234273518. This week many Americans will gather with friends and/or family to celebrate Thanksgiving and give thanks. OGIS is no different as we all plan to share time with our loved ones. With that in mind, we also want to say … Continue reading Giving Our Thanks this November

Chief FOIA Officers Meeting Recap

https://giphy.com/gifs/usnationalarchives-vintage-throwback-3oz8xYn9tp0AbewbhS Welding World War II by US National Archives via GIPHY. From National Archives Identifier 535579. The Chief FOIA Officers Council (CFOC) met on November 9 to discuss a variety of topics of interest to Chief FOIA Officers and FOIA professionals. Deputy Archivist of the United States, Debra Steidel Wall, and Associate Attorney General of the … Continue reading Chief FOIA Officers Meeting Recap

Register for November 9 Chief FOIA Officers Meeting

https://giphy.com/gifs/usnationalarchives-archives-archivesgif-naid12065-iK45mgOPCt5MsqcKhq Your National Archives by US National Archives via GIPHY. From National Archives Identifier 12065. Plan to attend the next Chief FOIA Officers Council meeting at 10 a.m. ET on Thursday, November 9. The meeting is open to Chief FOIA Officers, FOIA professionals and the public. We invite you to either watch the livestream of the meeting … Continue reading Register for November 9 Chief FOIA Officers Meeting

Workshop on Using, Sharing Resources Set for October 25

https://giphy.com/gifs/usnationalarchives-archives-archivesgif-naid12065-896NyHxKgOwc8UoIar  Your National Archives by US National Archives via GIPHY. From National Archives Identifier 12065. Federal government employees are invited to a Chief FOIA Officers (CFO) Council best practices workshop from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 25. The Council’s Committee on Cross-Agency Collaboration and Innovation (COCACI) Resources Working Group is hosting  the … Continue reading Workshop on Using, Sharing Resources Set for October 25

Ombuds Day is Thursday, October 12

Thursday, October 12 is officially recognized by the Dispute Resolution Section of the American Bar Association (ABA) as Ombuds Day. This annual observation provides an opportunity to educate the public about the role of ombuds and the wide variety of services and value that ombuds provide.  As the federal FOIA Ombudsman, OGIS resolves FOIA disputes, … Continue reading Ombuds Day is Thursday, October 12