Table of Contents
Tracking Down Public Records
A Primer on Freedom of Information
What are these FOIA laws?
Why have them?
What can you get?
What can you get?
What can you get?
What can you get?
Is nothing sacred?
Federal law exemptions
Federal law exemptions
Who has access?
Records from whom?
How?
How?
When can you get records?
Common Problems
Archive of all records auditsat Univ. of Missouri
Practical Tips and Strategies
1. Take a positive approach
2. Do your homework on the law
Screenshot of the Tapping Officials' Secrets Web site
Outline of a state's public records law
Outline of a state's public records law
"911 tapes" circled
"911 tapes"
2. Do your homework on the law
Screenshot of the National Freedom of Information Coalition Web site
Circled Resources link
Resource Links
Resource Links
FOI Resources in Ohio
2. Know the law
Screenshot of the Citizen Access Project Web site
RE: Security and Safety Plans/Procedures
RE: Security and Safety Plans/Procedures
Screenshot of the Department of Justice's FOIA page
Federal E-FOIA (1996)
Picture of the Alphabetical Listing of Justice Department Major Information Systems
Picture of Major Information Systems of the Justice Department Arranged on a Component-by-Component Basis
1. Keep positive approach
3. Write a simple letter
Screenshot of Principal FOIA Contacts at Federal Agencies
3. Tips on letter writing
Letter generators
Screenshot of the SPLC's State Open Records Law Request Letter Generator
Image of a FOI letter generator
A picture of RCFP's FOI Letter Generator
4. Be persistent
5. Try other routes
Bonus: state ombudsperson if you're working in:
6. Other techniques media can use
Susan Long, TRAC:
Top Resources
Blank Slide
Hot Issues in States
TV News Directors: Since 9/11 which best characterizes news gathering related to gov't and security issues?
GOOD NEWS
Image of the RCFP's Homefront Confidential chart
Hippo
Hippo HIPAA
When fed agency should deny:
|