For the Federal government of the United States, freedom of information policy is expressed in statutory law--the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), enacted in 1966, being the first such expression in this regard. Other transparency laws would follow. The FOIA, however, was legislated in the face of considerable opposition by the executive branch.…

The development of an infrastructure of computer networks based on the present Internet is creating a new environment for dissemination of public information, and government information will be an integral force in the expansion of computer networks. These factors will blur the distinction between information dissemination and access to…

Provides an overview of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) of 1966 which established the rights of private citizens to obtain information from the federal government and the obligations of the government to provide it. Types of information generally made available, exemptions from disclosure, and creative uses of FOIA are noted. (Author/JEG)

Addresses the research issues raised in several Federal cases involving the Freedom of Information Act. Outlines implications for the possible abrogation of researchers' property rights to their data and the potential breach of the confidential researcher-subject relationship. (Author/APM)

Summarizes some of the activities the United States government has undertaken to control the dissemination of information since 2001. It also explores, through a conceptual model of information flows, potential impacts and discontinuities between policy purposes and outcomes. (AEF)

Discusses information policy in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Topics include access to government records, including Freedom of Information Act issues; removing or expanding information on government Web sites; state actions; coordination versus secrecy in homeland security; and patterns and trends in federal and state…

Examines the extent to which the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) enables access to information about federally funded university research. Concludes that information on government research grants is covered by the FOIA only if a government agency has possession. (RS)

Discusses aspects of the administration of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), including operational and cost considerations. The idea of applying the FOIA to the legislative branch of the federal government is discussed. (Contains 64 references.) (KRN)

Describes activities of the Council on Competitiveness under the leadership of Vice President Dan Quayle. Regulatory interference, legislative projects, and policy proposals for special interests that have benefited business and industry are described; refusals to comply with the Freedom of Information Act are discussed; and recommendations for…

The first of two articles on privacy considers its development in U.S. tort law and its social and ethical aspects in the context of changing technology. The second, by Linowes and Bennett, examines the role of data-protection as a policy problem using the concepts and approaches of political science. (Author/EM)

To aid the public in obtaining information and documents from the files of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) this guide, written with assistance from the FCC staff, explains which office to approach and in what form to make the request. Ways to obtain informaion by visiting the FCC are explained along with methods for obtaining…

Discusses regulations and actions related to government withholding, suppressing, and altering information since September 11, 2001. Topics include conflicting goals of an informed citizenry versus national security, science and technology progress versus protection of sensitive information, and public health versus ideology; political pressure;…

Five articles critique various aspects of the information policies and practices of the Reagan administration. Areas discussed include management of the Freedom of Information Act, the use of national security arguments to restrict access to information, Congressional access to Executive Branch information in the Iran-Contra affair, and policies…

Provides an overview of U.S. federal information policy and its treatment of electronic information resources. Highlights include government publications; electronic government information; main providers of government information, including the Government Printing Office; the Freedom of Information Act; public access and use; information…