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Freedom of Information
 Websites presented in alphabetical order Access to Government Information in the United States 
 Text of the January 7, 2005, CRS (Congressional Research Service) Report for Congress about information sharing in the federal government. Topics discussed include public access laws and access between different branches of the government. Opens directly into a PDF document. From the Federation of American Scientists (FAS). Note: "The Congressional Research Service does not make its publications directly available online." http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/97-71.pdf Topics: Constitutional Law & Civil Liberties, Federal (U.S.) Government Last updated Apr 7, 2005 Behind the Homefront
This blog is "a daily chronicle of news in homeland security and military operations affecting newsgathering, access to information and the public's right to know." From The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. http://www.rcfp.org/behindthehomefront/ Topics: Blogs & Podcasts by Subject, Constitutional Law & Civil Liberties, News, Politics, Terrorism, War and Peace: Resources on Iraq, Writing Last updated Sep 10, 2003 CAL-FOI Archive
"A collection of documents and links to Internet sites on First Amendment, public records, open government and similar issues of concern to reporters." Sponsored by the Society of Professional Journalists Northern California chapter. http://journalism.berkeley.edu/resources/foi/ Topics: Constitutional Law & Civil Liberties, Government, Government Last updated Jan 16, 2009 Electronic Reading Room: Frequently Requested Records
Full-text government documents on UFOs, the Bay of Pigs, POWs and MIAs, Guatemala, human rights in Latin America, Ethel and Julius Rosenberg, "Lt. Col. Oleg Penkovsky: Western Spy in Soviet GRU," and "Francis Gary Powers: U-2 Spy Pilot Shot Down by the Soviets." From the Central Intelligence Agency Electronic Document Release Center (CIA/EDRC). http://www.foia.cia.gov/records.asp Topics: Constitutional Law & Civil Liberties, Federal (U.S.) Government Last updated Apr 5, 2009 EPIC.org: Electronic Privacy Information Center
Here find relevant links, news, and documentation from EPIC's advocacy in Freedom of Information Act, privacy, and First Amendment litigation. Resources also include documents of issues-related activities, FBI affidavits, news archives, debate resources, and guides to privacy tools. EPIC's Bill-Track follows legislation. An online journal covers issues of privacy and civil liberties in the information age (back issues are available to 1991). Searchable. http://epic.org/ Topics: Constitutional Law & Civil Liberties Last updated Aug 9, 2008 FBI Freedom of Information Act Electronic Reading Room
This Web site contains selected documents from the FBI Reading Room made available by the Freedom of Information Act. The digitized documents are organized alphabetically and by the categories of: famous persons, historical interest, espionage, violent crime, gangster era, and unusual phenomena. The Adobe Acrobat Reader is needed to view these PDF documents. This site also links to the FOIA and related documents at the Department of Justice (also available only in PDF). http://foia.fbi.gov/room.htm Topics: Constitutional Law & Civil Liberties, Crime Last updated Mar 16, 2003 The First Amendment Handbook
A handbook "designed to provide a basic primer on the laws affecting reporters' rights to gather and disseminate news." Covers libel, invasion of privacy, confidentiality, gag orders, copyright, and more. From the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. http://www.rcfp.org/handbook/ Topics: Constitutional Law & Civil Liberties, Literature & Books, News, Social Issues, Writing Last updated Jun 19, 2004 First Amendment Project (FAP)
This group "is a nonprofit advocacy organization dedicated to protecting and promoting freedom of information, expression, and petition. For nearly ten years, FAP has provided advice, educational materials, and legal representation to its core constituency of activists, journalists, and artists." The site features an overview of programs, and guidelines for accessing public records, court information, and attending government meetings. Also includes links to related sites and a blog. http://www.thefirstamendment.org Topics: Constitutional Law & Civil Liberties Last updated Oct 18, 2005 FOI [Freedom of Information] Letter Generator
This time-saving site is "designed to help you create a simple FOI letter. It asks you for all pertinent information, guides you through the options available, and even lists a number of federal agencies and their addresses." It then generates a document you can save to your word-processing program, print, or have emailed to you. http://www.rcfp.org/foialetter/index.php Topics: Constitutional Law & Civil Liberties, Federal (U.S.) Government Last updated Oct 29, 2009 FOIAdvocates
This site on the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) has a guide to state public records laws, sample FOIA request and appeal letters, links to the text of the act and other online resources, a bibliography, and a FAQ. From a legal firm specializing in FOIA issues. http://www.foiadvocates.com/ Topics: Constitutional Law & Civil Liberties, Federal (U.S.) Government, Government Last updated Jan 2, 2003 The Freedom Forum
This extensive, searchable site is a "forum for dialogue, discussion and debate on free expression and freedom of information issues." It features news and commentary from this organization with a mission "to foster a greater public understanding of and appreciation for First Amendment rights and values...." http://www.freedomforum.org/ Topics: Constitutional Law & Civil Liberties Last updated May 28, 2002 Freedom of Information
"Resources for journalists and the public on issues involving access to government records and activities and freedom of information education." Contains news, a history, and links to resouces on the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). From the Society of Professional Journalists. http://www.spj.org/foi.asp Topics: Constitutional Law & Civil Liberties Last updated Nov 11, 2006 The Freedom of Information Act: The Basics [UK]
Official British government information about this act, which "gives right to access information held by public authorities" in the UK. Includes instructions for requesting information and details about implementation of the act passed in November 2000 and in full effect January 2005. From the office of the Information Commissioner. http://www.ico.gov.uk/what_we_cover/freedom_of_information/the_basics.aspx Topics: Constitutional Law & Civil Liberties, Government, Government, Law by Place (U.S. States & non-U.S.) Last updated Nov 15, 2006 Freedom of Information Day
On this Day "on or near March 16, the birthday of James Madison," the American Library Association (ALA) presents the James Madison Award and the Eileen Cooke State & Local Madison Award "to recognize those individuals or groups that have championed access to government information and the public's right to know." Includes a list of recipients. http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/wo/washevents/freedomofinfo/freedominformation.cfm Topics: Constitutional Law & Civil Liberties Last updated Mar 27, 2009 Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF)
This organization was founded in 1969 as the American Library Association's "response to the interest of its members in having adequate means to support and defend librarians whose positions are jeopardized because of their resistance to abridgments of the First Amendment." Its site features a timeline, an overview of notable First Amendment court cases, and news and updates. From the American Library Association (ALA). http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/affiliates/relatedgroups/freedomtoreadfoundation/index.cfm Topics: Constitutional Law & Civil Liberties, Librarianship Last updated Sep 9, 2009 Freedom to Read Protection Act of 2003
Status, cosponsors, full text, and more for legislation introduced by Representative Bernie Sanders (Vermont) "to amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to exempt bookstores and libraries from orders requiring the production of any tangible things for certain foreign intelligence investigations, and for other purposes." http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d108:h.r.01157: Topics: Constitutional Law & Civil Liberties, Librarianship Last updated May 12, 2004 freedominfo.org: The Online Network of Freedom of Information Advocates
This "portal describes best practices, consolidates lessons learned, explains campaign strategies and tactics, and links the efforts of freedom-of-information advocates around the world. It contains information on freedom of information laws and how they were drafted and implemented, including how provisions have worked in practice." News, case studies, analyses, and links are provided. http://www.freedominfo.org/ Topics: Constitutional Law & Civil Liberties Last updated Jul 24, 2002 Institute for Public Accuracy (IPA)
This organization "seeks media access for those whose perspectives are commonly drowned out....The news releases provide documented analysis that is pegged on fast-breaking events while focusing on fundamental issues." Find here access to information, articles, and news from publications on topics such as the Middle East, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the U.S. economy, foreign policy, war, and military issues. Searchable. http://www.accuracy.org/ Topics: Constitutional Law & Civil Liberties, Media, Media Last updated Sep 25, 2002 Library Juice
A blog for librarians and library science students that highlights websites, brief articles, threads from electronic mailing lists, and the latest news in information science and reference. Covers topics "of interest to passionate librarians, from a political Left perspective ... linked to and implicit in the fundamental values of the profession in its modern form." Edited and published by librarian Rory Litwin. http://libraryjuicepress.com/blog/ Topics: Blogs & Podcasts by Subject, Constitutional Law & Civil Liberties, Librarianship, Magazines, Social Issues, Social Science Last updated Feb 27, 2007 Marion Brechner Citizen Action Project (CAP)
This project's goal is to allow citizens "to better understand public access to local government information in all 50 states." Includes ratings that are based on the analysis of statutes, constitutions, and case law. Also includes summaries of "sunshine" laws, and comparisons of state laws. The "I can help you get started" section is not very useful; use the categories to the left instead. From the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications. http://www.citizenaccess.org Topics: Constitutional Law & Civil Liberties, Federal (U.S.) Government, Government, Law by Place (U.S. States & non-U.S.) Last updated Apr 4, 2005 The Memory Hole: Rescuing Knowledge, Freeing Information
"The Memory Hole exists to preserve and spread material that is in danger of being lost, is hard to find, or is not widely known." This includes court documents, eyewitness statements, various reports, photographs, portions of books, and more. "The emphasis is on material that exposes things that we're not supposed to know (or that we're supposed to forget)." http://www.thememoryhole.org/ Topics: Constitutional Law & Civil Liberties, Federal (U.S.) Government Last updated Apr 28, 2004 National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
"The nation's record keeper," holding "only those Federal records that are judged to have continuing value." The website shows just some of the photographs, maps, charts, and other treasures in the collection. http://www.archives.gov/ Topics: Constitutional Law & Civil Liberties, Presidents by Name Last updated May 29, 2009 NFOIC (National Freedom of Information Coalition)
NFOIC is an alliance of free-standing, nonprofit state freedom of information and First Amendment organizations and academic centers concentrating on First Amendment and related issues. Features links to state newsletters, conference information, the FOI discussion list, and a directory of members. http://www.nfoic.org/ Topics: Constitutional Law & Civil Liberties Last updated Jan 15, 2005 Open Government Guide
"A complete compendium of information on every state's open records and open meetings laws. Each state's section is arranged according to a standard outline, making it easy to compare laws in various states." Formerly titled Tapping Officials' Secrets. Written by "Volunteer attorneys, expert in open government laws in each state and in Washington, D.C." http://www.rcfp.org/ogg/ Topics: Constitutional Law & Civil Liberties, Federal (U.S.) Government, Government, Law by Place (U.S. States & non-U.S.) Last updated Jan 24, 2009 Project on Government Secrecy
Working to "challenge excessive government secrecy and to promote public oversight," this site has recent secrecy and security news stories, information on polygraph testing and policy, and an extensive collection of documents from Congress, the administration, and other government agencies regarding security, classification, and declassification. Additionally, this site from the Federation of American Scientists provides a newsletter on government security and secrecy (archived to 1993) and an annotated list of links to other government secrecy related Web sites. Searchable. http://www.fas.org/sgp/ Topics: Constitutional Law & Civil Liberties, Federal (U.S.) Government Last updated Oct 24, 2001 Public Knowledge
Headlines and commentary related to public access to information. "Public Knowledge is a public-interest advocacy organization dedicated to fortifying and defending a vibrant 'information commons'--the shared information resources and cultural assets that we own as a people. This Washington, D.C. based group speaks in a single voice for a wide spectrum of stakeholders." http://www.publicknowledge.org/ Topics: Constitutional Law & Civil Liberties Last updated Aug 14, 2002 Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
This is "a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free legal assistance to journalists since 1970." The Web site has news on legal actions involving freedom of the press and white papers on such topics as how government policies affect the public's right to know. Also find guides for accessing legal and public records, medical privacy, photographers and privacy rights, gag orders, and much more. http://www.rcfp.org/ Topics: Constitutional Law & Civil Liberties, News Last updated Jul 7, 2005 Resolution In Support of User Privacy and Freedom of Information in Libraries
Text of the resolution passed by the California Library Association (CLA) in 2003 that in light of the USA PATRIOT Act condemns "any current and future legislation that erodes privacy, information access and Constitutional rights and opposes the use of governmental power to suppress the free and open exchange of information and ideas." Opens directly into PDF file. http://www.cla-net.org/included/docs/CLAPatriotResolution.pdf Topics: Constitutional Law & Civil Liberties, Librarianship Last updated May 23, 2003 Sunshine Week: Your Right to Know
This project celebrates freedom of information with an annual observance, Sunshine Week, occurring in the second week of March. "Participating ... [media organizations] will feature editorials, op-eds, editorial cartoons, and news and feature stories that drive public discussion about why open government is important to everyone, not just to journalists." Includes a bibliography and related links. From the American Society of Newspaper Editors. http://www.sunshineweek.org Topics: Constitutional Law & Civil Liberties, Federal (U.S.) Government, Nonfiction by Genre, Politics by Place Last updated Mar 9, 2006 |
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