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Information Foia People States Freedom Act Access Government

Id ESLPod_0932_CN
Episode Id ESLPod 932
Episode Title Rebuilding Consumer Trust
Title The Freedom of Information Act
Text

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) was "signed into law" (became a law) in 1966. It allows people to access information and documents produced and "held" (stored) by the "federal" (national) government. Many people believe that FOIA helps U.S. citizens be "in the know" (aware of what is happening) about the U.S. government. Many states have "similar" (sharing many characteristics, but slightly different) laws.

FOIA creates a "path" (a way to do things) for requesting information from the federal government, but it also protects certain types of information, such as "classified" (allowed to be seen by only qualified individuals) information that is important for "national security" (the needs to protect important information from people and countries that would use it to harm the United States and its citizens). FOIA also "limits" (places restrictions on) access to "personnel files" (documents related to an employee's qualifications), "compensation" (how much money someone earns), and "performance" (how well one does one's job).

Individuals and organizations "submit" (send in) FOIA requests to ask to see copies of certain documents. In 2012, more than 650,000 FOIA requests were received. Unfortunately, there is a large "backlog" (the number of items that have not yet been addressed or dealt with) in providing the requested information, although that backlog is "shrinking" (becoming smaller) over time.

FOIA has improved the transparency of the United States government, but the "level" (amount) of transparency has varied under each "administration" (the people who work in the government while a particular individual is President). Some administrations have been "notorious" (famous for something bad) for classifying too much information as secret, "thereby" (in that way) preventing people from seeing it. Other administrations have been more willing to share information with the public.

Topics Business

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