Freedom of Information Act (United States)
1967 US statute regarding access to information held by the US government / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA /ˈfɔɪjə/ FOY-yə), 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.[2][3] 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.[4] The FOIA has been changed repeatedly by both the legislative and executive branches.
Acronyms (colloquial) | FOIA |
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Enacted by | the 89th United States Congress |
Effective | July 5, 1967 |
Citations | |
Public law | 89-487 |
Statutes at Large | 80 Stat. 250 |
Codification | |
Acts amended | Administrative Procedure Act |
Titles amended | 5 U.S.C.: Government Organization and Employees |
U.S.C. sections created | 5 U.S.C. ch. 5, subch. II § 552 |
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United States Supreme Court cases | |
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The FOIA is commonly known for being invoked by news organizations for reporting purposes, though such uses make up less than 10% of all requests—which are more frequently made by businesses, law firms, and individuals.[5]