The Freedom of Information Act is a United States federal law, enacted in 1966, that establishes a general public right to request access to records held by federal executive branch agencies. Agencies are generally required to disclose requested records unless the information falls within one of several specific statutory exemptions, such as those protecting national security, personal privacy, or law enforcement interests. The Act has been amended several times, including to address electronic records and to encourage more proactive disclosure of government information, and it has become a widely used tool for journalists, researchers, and the public to obtain information about government activity.
Facts
EraSourced to the subject's own accountAmended into its modern standalone form in 1966, codified at 5 U.S.C. Section 552. 1 Promulgated BySourced to the subject's own accountUnited States Congress. 1 Jurisdiction ScopeSourced to the subject's own accountUnited States federal law; applies to records held by U.S. government executive branch agencies nationwide. 1 Regulatory DomainSourced to the subject's own accountGovernment transparency and public access to federal agency records, subject to nine defined exemptions. 1 Cross-Tradition Connections
Associated With
The Freedom of Information Act was enacted in 1966 as an amendment to the Administrative Procedure Act.
In Legal System
United States federal statute, within the common law tradition.
Sources
1. Freedom of Information Act (United States) (Wikipedia)
WikipediaHistory (era)Quote, History (era)
Following concerns that the provision had become more of a withholding than a disclosure mechanism, Congress amended the section in 1966 as a standalone act to implement “a general philosophy of full agency disclosure”.
1. Freedom of Information Act (United States) (Wikipedia)
WikipediaHistory (promulgated-by)Quote, History (promulgated-by)
Following concerns that the provision had become more of a withholding than a disclosure mechanism, Congress amended the section in 1966 as a standalone act to implement “a general philosophy of full agency disclosure”.
1. Freedom of Information Act (United States) (Wikipedia)
WikipediaLead paragraph (jurisdiction-scope)Quote, Lead paragraph (jurisdiction-scope)
The Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552, is the United States federal freedom of information law that requires the full or partial disclosure of previously unreleased or uncirculated information and documents controlled by the U.S. government upon request. The act defines agency records subject to disclosure, outlines mandatory disclosure procedures, and includes nine exemptions that define categories of information not subject to disclosure. The act was intended to make U.S. government agencies' functions more transparent so that the American public could more easily identify problems in government functioning and put pressure on Congress, agency officials, and the president to address them. The FOIA has been changed by both the legislative and executive branches.
1. Freedom of Information Act (United States) (Wikipedia)
WikipediaLead paragraph (regulatory-domain)Quote, Lead paragraph (regulatory-domain)
The Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552, is the United States federal freedom of information law that requires the full or partial disclosure of previously unreleased or uncirculated information and documents controlled by the U.S. government upon request. The act defines agency records subject to disclosure, outlines mandatory disclosure procedures, and includes nine exemptions that define categories of information not subject to disclosure. The act was intended to make U.S. government agencies' functions more transparent so that the American public could more easily identify problems in government functioning and put pressure on Congress, agency officials, and the president to address them. The FOIA has been changed by both the legislative and executive branches.
Major Legal Systems in the World Today
Rene David and John E.C. Brierley, Stevens and Sons, 1985In Legal System: Law of the United States
National Archives, Federal Register
U.S. National Archives and Records AdministrationAssociated With: Administrative Procedure Act (APA)View the Source Reader Challenges (0 open reader challenges)
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