Glossary

3.3 Freedom of Information requests

4 min read•july 30, 2024

Freedom of Information requests are a powerful tool for journalists seeking government data. They allow access to records that can uncover important stories, promote transparency, and hold officials accountable. Understanding the process is crucial for effective data gathering.

Crafting clear, targeted requests and navigating the bureaucratic process are key skills. Once obtained, data must be verified, cleaned, and analyzed to extract meaningful insights. This process can lead to impactful stories that serve the .

Freedom of Information: Purpose and Basis

Top images from around the web for Legal Foundation and Public Right to Access

  • Informații de interes public câștigate în instanță - Centrul pentru Inovare Publică View original

    Is this image relevant?

  • 7 ideas to make the Freedom of Information Act better : Sunlight Foundation View original

    Is this image relevant?

  • Informații de interes public câștigate în instanță - Centrul pentru Inovare Publică View original

    Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Legal Foundation and Public Right to Access

  • Informații de interes public câștigate în instanță - Centrul pentru Inovare Publică View original

    Is this image relevant?

  • 7 ideas to make the Freedom of Information Act better : Sunlight Foundation View original

    Is this image relevant?

  • Informații de interes public câștigate în instanță - Centrul pentru Inovare Publică View original

    Is this image relevant?

1 of 3
  • Freedom of Information (FOI) laws grant the public the right to request access to records from government agencies, promoting transparency and accountability in government operations
  • In the United States, the federal (FOIA) was enacted in 1966 and has since been amended to strengthen public access to government information
  • Most states and many local jurisdictions have their own FOI laws that complement the federal FOIA, providing access to state and local government records (e.g., California Public Records Act, New York Freedom of Information Law)

Scope and Exemptions of FOI Laws

  • FOI laws typically require government agencies to disclose requested information unless it falls under specific exemptions, such as national security, personal privacy, or confidential business information
  • The purpose of FOI requests is to enable journalists, researchers, and the general public to obtain information about government activities, decision-making processes, and the use of public resources
  • Examples of information obtainable through FOI requests include government contracts, budgets, emails, and meeting minutes

Drafting Effective FOI Requests

Researching and Targeting Requests

  • Effective FOI requests should be clear, concise, and specific, identifying the desired records as precisely as possible to minimize processing time and potential denials
  • Before submitting a request, research the agency's structure, responsibilities, and record-keeping practices to determine which office or division is likely to hold the desired information
  • Provide a detailed description of the records sought, including relevant dates, locations, names, or other identifying information, to help the agency locate the requested materials (e.g., "All emails sent by John Doe regarding Project X between January 1, 2020, and March 31, 2020")

Specifying Format and Demonstrating Knowledge

  • If seeking data, specify the desired format (e.g., CSV, XML, or API access) to ensure the information is provided in a usable manner for analysis and interpretation
  • Cite the relevant FOI law and express a willingness to pay reasonable fees associated with the request, if applicable, to demonstrate knowledge of the process and minimize potential roadblocks
  • Consider breaking down complex requests into multiple, targeted requests to reduce the likelihood of denial or delay due to the scope of the inquiry (e.g., requesting data from one year at a time instead of a decade)

Submitting Requests and Tracking Progress

  • Submit FOI requests in writing, following the agency's preferred method (e.g., email, online form, or physical mail) and keeping a copy of the request for personal records
  • Upon receipt, the agency should provide an acknowledgment and a case number or tracking identifier, which can be used to follow up on the request's status
  • FOI laws typically specify a time frame within which agencies must respond to requests, often around 20 to 30 business days, although complex requests may require additional time (e.g., the federal FOIA allows for a 20-day extension for "unusual circumstances")

Handling Denials and Appeals

  • If the agency fails to respond within the statutory time frame, follow up with a written inquiry citing the relevant FOI law and requesting an estimated date of completion
  • If the agency denies the request, either in full or in part, they must provide a written explanation citing the specific exemptions applied. Carefully review the denial and consider appealing the decision if the exemptions seem unwarranted
  • Maintain organized records of all correspondence related to the request, including the original request, acknowledgments, follow-ups, and any received documents, to ensure a clear timeline and facilitate any necessary appeals or legal action (e.g., creating a spreadsheet or using a file naming system)

Data Analysis for Journalism

Data Verification and Cleaning

  • Upon receiving the requested data, verify its completeness and accuracy by comparing it to other available sources, such as public reports or statements from officials
  • Clean and organize the data as necessary, standardizing formats, correcting errors, and ensuring consistency across multiple datasets to facilitate analysis (e.g., converting all dates to the same format, such as YYYY-MM-DD)
  • Explore the data using statistical tools and techniques, such as descriptive statistics, regression analysis, or , to identify patterns, trends, and potential stories (e.g., using Python libraries like pandas and matplotlib)

Contextualizing Findings and Storytelling

  • Contextualize the findings by researching related issues, interviewing relevant stakeholders, and gathering additional background information to develop a comprehensive understanding of the story
  • Identify key insights and narratives that emerge from the data, focusing on those that reveal new information, challenge existing assumptions, or highlight important issues of public interest (e.g., uncovering discrepancies in government spending or identifying disparities in public services)
  • Translate the findings into clear, compelling stories by using engaging storytelling techniques, such as humanizing the data through personal anecdotes, creating informative visualizations, and explaining complex concepts in accessible language
  • Adhere to ethical guidelines for data journalism, such as verifying the accuracy of the data, providing appropriate context and caveats, and protecting the privacy of individuals mentioned in the records (e.g., redacting sensitive personal information before publishing)

Key Terms to Review (18)

Appeals Process: The appeals process is a legal procedure that allows individuals or organizations to challenge the decisions made by governmental bodies, including those related to Freedom of Information (FOI) requests. This process is essential for ensuring transparency and accountability, allowing requesters to seek review when their access to information is denied or improperly handled. It typically involves submitting a formal appeal to a higher authority or an independent tribunal, which will review the original decision and determine whether it should be upheld, reversed, or modified.
Civic Engagement: Civic engagement refers to the active participation of individuals in the political, social, and community life of their society. It encompasses a range of activities that promote a sense of responsibility and involvement in local or national issues, from voting and volunteering to participating in community discussions. This engagement is crucial for fostering a well-informed citizenry and ensuring that public officials remain accountable to the people.
Data disclosure: Data disclosure refers to the process of making data available for public access, typically involving the release of information held by governmental or private organizations. This practice is vital for promoting transparency, accountability, and informed decision-making. Data disclosure often occurs through formal requests, allowing individuals or entities to seek specific information that may be otherwise withheld.
Data Privacy: Data privacy refers to the protection of personal information that individuals share, ensuring it is collected, processed, and stored responsibly. This concept is crucial for maintaining trust between individuals and organizations, especially in contexts where sensitive data is involved, such as surveys, crowdsourcing, and public records.
Data scraping: Data scraping is the automated process of extracting information from websites and online sources, converting unstructured data into a structured format for analysis. This technique allows journalists and researchers to gather large amounts of data quickly, enabling them to uncover stories and insights that may not be readily available through traditional methods. By leveraging data scraping, professionals can efficiently analyze trends and patterns within the vast amount of information available on the web.
Data visualization: Data visualization is the graphical representation of information and data, allowing complex datasets to be presented in a visual context, such as charts, graphs, and maps. This technique helps communicate insights and trends clearly and effectively, making it easier for audiences to understand data-driven narratives and draw conclusions.
David Cay Johnston: David Cay Johnston is an investigative journalist and author known for his expertise in tax policy and economic issues, particularly in relation to public interest journalism. He has won numerous awards for his work, including the Pulitzer Prize, and is recognized for his ability to dissect complex financial information to expose governmental and corporate misconduct. His investigations often highlight the significance of transparency and accountability, especially through the use of Freedom of Information requests to uncover hidden data.
Documents release: Documents release refers to the process by which governmental bodies or organizations make records available to the public, often as a result of Freedom of Information requests. This term connects to the principles of transparency and accountability, emphasizing the public's right to access information held by authorities. The release of documents can include various types of records such as emails, reports, meeting minutes, and other materials that provide insight into decision-making processes and operations.
Ethical considerations: Ethical considerations refer to the principles and values that guide the behavior of individuals and organizations in making decisions that affect others. In the context of journalism, especially data journalism, ethical considerations involve ensuring accuracy, transparency, accountability, and respect for privacy while reporting on data-driven stories and utilizing information obtained through Freedom of Information requests. They help maintain public trust and integrity in the journalistic process.
FOIA Requests: FOIA requests, or Freedom of Information Act requests, are formal petitions made by individuals or organizations to obtain access to records held by government agencies in the United States. This law allows citizens to seek transparency and accountability from their government by requesting information about various activities, decisions, and public records. FOIA requests can cover a wide range of materials, including emails, reports, and meeting minutes, empowering the public to scrutinize government actions.
Freedom of Information Act: The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a federal law that allows individuals to request access to records from any federal agency. This act promotes transparency and accountability in government by granting the public the right to know what information the government holds, encouraging informed citizen participation. FOIA is crucial for accessing government data and documents that may not be readily available, which can aid in research, journalism, and holding officials accountable.
Government transparency: Government transparency refers to the openness and accessibility of government actions, decisions, and processes to the public. This principle is vital in fostering accountability and trust between citizens and their government, allowing for informed participation in democratic governance. By ensuring that information is readily available, government transparency helps combat corruption and promotes civic engagement.
Information Access: Information access refers to the right and ability of individuals or groups to obtain and utilize information held by various entities, particularly government bodies. This concept is crucial for promoting transparency, accountability, and informed public participation in democratic societies. Information access empowers citizens to request information and encourages institutions to disclose data proactively, fostering a more informed populace.
Public Interest: Public interest refers to the welfare or well-being of the general public, often serving as a guiding principle for journalism and media practices. It emphasizes the importance of transparency, accountability, and informed citizenry in a democratic society. By focusing on public interest, journalists aim to expose issues that affect the community, promote social justice, and ensure government accountability, making it essential for both transparency initiatives and investigative reporting.
Public Records Requests: Public records requests are formal requests made by individuals or organizations to obtain access to documents and data held by government agencies, ensuring transparency and accountability. This process allows journalists and the public to acquire information about government actions, decisions, and data that may be crucial for informing citizens and promoting an open society.
Request Tracking: Request tracking is the process of monitoring and managing requests made under Freedom of Information laws, ensuring that all submissions are documented, processed, and responded to within designated timeframes. This practice enhances transparency and accountability, providing a clear trail of the requests made by individuals or organizations seeking information from public authorities.
Sarah Cohen: Sarah Cohen is a prominent figure in the field of data journalism, recognized for her innovative approaches to storytelling through data. She has significantly contributed to the development of data-driven reporting practices and has played a key role in educating journalists about the importance and power of using data as a tool for investigative journalism. Her work emphasizes the necessity of transparency and accountability in journalism, especially when utilizing public records and data sources.
Sunshine Laws: Sunshine laws are regulations that require certain proceedings of government agencies to be conducted in public, ensuring transparency and accountability in government actions. These laws aim to promote openness by mandating that meetings, decisions, and records of governmental bodies are accessible to the public, thus enabling citizens to monitor government activities and hold officials accountable. The essence of sunshine laws is rooted in the principle that government functions best when the public can observe and participate in the decision-making process.
© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.
Back
Practice QuizGlossary
Practice QuizGlossary
Next guide