Many government and private
organizations offer primers for helping average citizens
gain access to government records through the Freedom
of Information Act (FOIA) and by other means.
ACLU
Guide to the FOIA
American Civil Liberties Union provides a comprehensive,
step-by-step guide for obtaining documents and other
materials through the FOIA. Includes sample letters
to help start your search.
Brechner
Center for Freedom of Information
University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications
center devoted to the freedom of information offers
a wealth of resources for those interested in pursuing
FOIA inquiries.
Department
of Justice - Office of Information and Privacy
Includes the DOJ's guide to the FOIA and explains your
rights regarding federal records. This office is responsible
for "coordinating and implementing policy development
and compliance government-wide for the FOIA, and by
the Department for the Privacy Act, and deciding all
appeals from denials by any Department component of
access to information under those Acts."
Federation
of American Scientists - Project on Government Secrecy
FAS seeks to promote public oversight and challenge
excessive secrecy in government. Find newsletters, past
and present government positions regarding secrecy,
and learn how to investigate secret materials.
Freedom
of Information Clearinghouse
Vast array of resources for individuals, public interest
groups and members of the media who wish to find information
held by government agencies includes sections about
drafting FOIA requests, legal resources, and reports
dealing with freedom of information.
National
Freedom of Information Coalition
Organization dedicated to the public's right to know
seeks to foster the foundation of other FOI organizations
and facilitate the education of those interested in
FOI issues.
Reporters
Committee for Freedom of Press - FOIA Letter Generator
Excellent resource intended for journalists allows users
to simply fill in the blanks and complete a form to
best represent a case for an FOIA request to a wide
range of governments departments and offices.
Contributed by Military.com Researcher Matthew Markovich.
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