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Freedom of Information Act
Know the ins and outs of the Freedom of Information ActPreview the first lesson free — get full access to all 7 lessons.
Essential Provider : KnowledgeCity 4 chapters · 7 Lessons · 21m in English, Spanish
Course Description
The Freedom of Information Act, also known as FOIA, went into effect in 1967 and was intended to increase transparency, accountability, and public participation in government affairs. It was meant to demonstrate that the United States government doesn’t have unchecked authority to withhold information from the public. It empowers people to request documents from government agencies so they can uncover needed information.
In this course, you'll learn how the Freedom of Information Act improves government accountability by providing public access to federal governmental information. We'll go over FOIA’s basics before moving on to its core provisions and nine exemptions. We’ll also detail just why FOIA is so important to government watchdogs and media organizations, and how the law has evolved over the years since its initial passage. Then we’ll discuss learn how to keep in compliance with FOIA, as well as how to enforce it and how to process requests for information.
What You'll Learn
- Understand the provisions in the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
- Explain what types of information are exempt from FOIA under its nine exemptions
- Describe how FOIA requests are submitted and processed
- Identify why FOIA is important to government watchdogs and media organizations
- Apply practices for complying with FOIA and enforcing it
- Trace how FOIA has evolved since its initial passage in 1967
Key Takeaways
- The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) went into effect in 1967 to increase transparency, accountability, and public participation in government affairs.
- FOIA demonstrates that the United States government does not have unchecked authority to withhold information from the public.
- FOIA empowers people to request documents from government agencies to uncover needed information.
- FOIA contains core provisions and nine exemptions that define what information can be withheld.
- The course covers complying with FOIA, enforcing it, and processing requests for information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this course cover?
It covers the basics of the Freedom of Information Act, its core provisions and nine exemptions, why FOIA matters to government watchdogs and media organizations, how the law has evolved, and how to comply with, enforce, and process requests under FOIA.
What is the Freedom of Information Act?
FOIA is a law that went into effect in 1967 to increase transparency, accountability, and public participation in government affairs, empowering people to request documents from government agencies.
What will I be able to do after taking this course?
You'll be able to understand the provisions in FOIA, explain what types of information are exempt from it, and describe how FOIA requests are submitted and processed.
Who is this course useful for?
It is relevant to anyone seeking public access to federal governmental information, including government watchdogs and media organizations, as well as those responsible for FOIA compliance and processing requests.
What topics are included in the lessons?
Lessons include an Introduction, FOIA Basics, FOIA Core Provisions and Exemptions, The Importance of FOIA, Complying With FOIA, Enforcing FOIA and Processing Requests, and a Conclusion.
