How To File a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Request

Freedom of Information requests have been used for years to gather information and to help hold our government responsible. Journalists routinely gather information this way. But as an everyday citizen you have every right to hold your government responsible also.

What is a FOIA Request?

As an American citizen our government works for you. Because of that, the untold billions of dollars that are spent in collecting, keeping, sorting and learning from data is available to you for the asking. Almost anything you can think of is available from the government from a copy of Elvis’s FBI file to the the number of ducks migrating from point A to point B. By law the government is required to determine whether they have information meeting your request and to provide it to you if they do.

This is especially useful if you are working on a cause. Say for instance you are working to get pornography out of your local library, but keep running into objections from your local librarian. You can write to the government to get information to arm you in your quest. Things you can find out include the application process for federal funding for internet filters, statistical trends of how many libraries have made themselves internet safe, and informational brochures directed to librarians on the legalities internet filtering.

The point is, if you can think of a fact or statistic or a piece of information that you need the federal government is a good place to start.

How to File A FCC Freedom of Information Act (FOIA):

1. You can file it online here
2. Here’s the FCC’s basic FOIA fact sheet
3. Here’s the FCC’s detailed FOIA reference manual

How to file a FOIA request in general:
The place to start with any agency is by googling the agency name plus “FOIA”. Most agencies have online information and/or liasion offices to help with the process. Many agencies post their specific fax, mail address or email for submitting a request.

FOIA Very Generally:

1. You can request anything, but many things are exempt…most commonly things regarding national security and private information about citizens. Even if you think your item might be exempt request it anyway. If you want it bad enough look for other ways to word the request and keep requesting.

2. Most agencies have preference processing for the press…some even explain the process on their website. Be creative and figure out how you are part of the press. For instance some bloggers are part of the press.

3. Be polite. You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.

4. Here’s a pretty good free ebook with tips and tricks of FOIA

5. Anyone can do this. You can do this. Go out and get the info you want about your government and share it with us and everyone else. You personally can make a difference! Hold their feet to the fire. If there is something that does not make sense ask for the documents to back it up. Hold your government responsible.

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