FOIA Portal Now Open to Public

By Elizabeth

Monday marked the launch of the much-anticipated FOIAonline, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) “portal” or “module” aimed at streamlining FOIA requests and administration across agencies. Developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Commerce Department, and the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), the new website offers a “multi-agency, shared-services solution” for FOIA requesters and uniform tool for FOIA administration. Users may now submit and track FOIA requests using the portal, search and download requests and response records, correspond with processing staff, and file appeals. In addition to EPA, Commerce, and NARA, two smaller agencies, the Merit Systems Protection Board and the Federal Labor Relations Authority, have begun using the system to process FOIA requests.

Perhaps the best feature of FOIAonline is its ability to allow requesters and non-requesters alike to search a database of released FOIA documents. Users may search across agencies for similar FOIA requests or browse all released documents on a search term. The system also provides a new reports feature in which users can run queries on FOIA backlogs, average processing times of requests, and a variety of other criteria. OpenTheGovernment.org has provided this neat infographic of the site’s features:

In previous discussions of the module, EPA, Commerce, and NARA noted that several other agencies were considering use of FOIAonline for their agencies’ requests, with the ultimate goal of directing all FOIA requests through the site. Remember, the content available on FOIAonline is only as good as the requests made. Users are encouraged to create an account to allow easy request tracking and can expect more information—and hopefully more agencies—on FOIAonline soon.

OpenTheGovernment’s 2012 Secrecy Report

By Elizabeth

Earlier this week, OpenTheGovernment.org released the latest edition of their annual Secrecy Report. This year’s report reveals mixed marks for the Obama administration’s open government policies, highlighting both positive developments and room for improvement.

Several signs of progress of are of note. For example, the government processed more Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests in 2011 than the previous year and brought the average cost of fulfilling a FOIA request down by more than $2. So far in his term, President Obama has not once cited executive privilege to deny Congressional requests for information, and the administration has also declassified previously secret defense information, some of which has not been declassified since the end of the Cold War.

However, there are still causes of concern around the administration’s level of secrecy, especially in light of the President’s bold promise of “unprecedented transparency.”  FOIA requests, the report noted, rose 5 percent from fiscal 2010 to 2011, and agencies processed 644,165, or 8 percent, more than the previous year— yet the backlog grew by 20 percent, reaching 83,490. It’s likely that the National Declassification Center will not meet its goal for declassifying old records on time. And while the volume of documents marked “Classified” continues to grow, there has been little assurance or reason offered for the decision that the information properly needs such protection.

The 2012 Secrecy Report includes a look at the limitations of the data the government currently makes available.  From the press release from OpenTheGovernment.org:

Missing and misleading data have a very real effect on the public’s ability to trust that the government is using taxpayer monies wisely, and that it is following its own policies. “Good information is essential for the public to know what interests are influencing government policies, and more,” said [Dr. Patrice McDermott, Executive Director of OpenTheGovernment.org]. “Partial and mis- information, however, erodes accountability and prevents the public from having an informed debate about critical national issues.”

AALL is a founding member of OpenTheGovernment.org, a coalition of 80+ groups advocating for open and accountable government. We’ll be joining a live Twitter chat with the report’s contributors on Tuesday, September 18^th from 4–5 p.m. EDT. Follow us at @AALL_GRO and join the conversation with #secrecy12.

Happy Birthday, FOIA!

The fourth of July gives us more than one reason to celebrate— yesterday marked the 46th birthday of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). President Lyndon Johnson signed the historic law on July 4, 1966, and since then, FOIA has become a cornerstone of democracy in America.

In celebration of the anniversary of FOIA, the National Security Archive has posted a compilation of 46 news headlines made possible by FOIA this year.  Drawn from hundreds of FOIA stories in newspapers, blogs, and broadcasts, the sampling includes the FOIA requests that revealed everything from the theft of a bottle of Jack Daniels by TSA agents to the $1.2 trillion of secret Federal Reserve loans to banks.

AALL works to support strong open government laws and has long advocated for improvements to FOIA. Recently, we advocated for the passage of the OPEN Government Act of 2007 (P.L. 110-175), which established the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) as the FOIA Ombudsman. We have also encouraged the development of the recently-previewed FOIA portal to create a uniform, centralized location to make and manage information requests.

There is no doubt that there is room to improve FOIA and, with your help, we will continue to speak out about the need for reform. As President Johnson stated 46 years ago, the historic law has built a foundation for open government on which to expand:

This legislation springs from one of our most essential principles: a democracy works best when the people have all the information that the security of the Nation permits. No one should be able to pull curtains of secrecy around decisions which can be revealed without injury to the public interest…I signed this measure with a deep sense of pride that the United States is an open society in which the people’s right to know is cherished and guarded.

So as you celebrate Independence Day this year, don’t forget to light a candle (or firecracker) for FOIA, too.

“FOIA Ombudsman” Launches New Website

AALL strongly supported passage of the OPEN Government Act of 2007 (P.L. 110-175), which established the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) within the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). OGIS is charged with recommending policy changes to improve the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process, offering mediation services to help resolve disputes between requestors and agencies, and acting as ombudsman by responding to the needs of the diverse FOIA community.

OGIS recently launched a new website to help requestors and agencies more easily navigate the FOIA process, including how to move past any stumbling blocks. New features include:

• The OGIS Library: Search common FOIA terms and concepts
• Make an OGIS Request: Ask for assistance from OGIS staff
• Search OGIS Cases: Review, in real-time, the status of OGIS cases
• Suggest FOIA Improvements: Offer your ideas on how to improve FOIA

Kudos to OGIS for adding these enhancements, and for continuing to find innovative ways to operate more effectively, efficiently and transparently.