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…

Two recent judicial and governmental developments appear to tip the scales in favor of the confidentiality of intelligence sources and methods at the expense of any "right of access" to government information. The implementation of the Reagan Administration's Executive Order governing the classification of national security information…

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)

Prior to the enactment of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), little of the data collected by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was made public or could be obtained from the agency. Although the FDA files are now open, information is considered exempt from public disclosure when it involves regulatory procedures, program guidelines, work…

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) was amended in 1974 in order to restrict government control and to facilitate the public's access to information. However, part of the FOIA bans federal officials from disclosing "trade secrets" and commercial or financial information obtained in confidential circumstances. This exemption has…

Included in these proceedings are: (1) papers on objectives of the forum and the activities of COSATI panel no. 6, role and importance of information analysis centers, COSATI activities and the future of national information programs, the Freedom of Information Act, and impact of the revised copyright law; (2) roundtable discussion on the Freedom…

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)

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) eliminated the "need to know" requirement for access to information, requiring agencies to give notice of file contents and make records available to all persons. Agencies are required to make available final opinions, statements of policy and interpretations, and staff manuals that affect a member…

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)

This document discusses the area of legal protection of intellectual property and owner control to its accessibility under the fourth exemption of the freedom of information act. (SL)