To Know What They Know...
April 13, 2012 12:57 PM Subscribe
Are there any websites that list a directory of FOIA-attainable information, including the agency/department it would come from and procedures to follow in submitting a FOIA request?
This site does what I'm looking for with respect to Passenger Name Records and other records of international travel held by the Department of Homeland Security. Are there more of these sites? Does anyone index them?
This site does what I'm looking for with respect to Passenger Name Records and other records of international travel held by the Department of Homeland Security. Are there more of these sites? Does anyone index them?
Response by poster: 10th regiment, that site's statistics are more birds' eye. I'm guessing that the site I'm looking for wouldn't be endorsed by the government, because it makes FOIA requests too easy (and therefore increases the load).
posted by benbenson at 1:12 PM on April 13, 2012
posted by benbenson at 1:12 PM on April 13, 2012
Response by poster: I'm not looking to FOIA any information in particular. In the link I posted in the OP, the site laid out the procedures for requesting records that a government agency has about many Americans (PNRs). I would like to find other sites that do the same, and my most magic pony would be a site that links to many of these sites.
posted by benbenson at 1:55 PM on April 13, 2012
posted by benbenson at 1:55 PM on April 13, 2012
Best answer: If you're looking for ideas on what to foil, you can actually foil an agency's record index...you could basically get a list of all the subject headings they file things under. You could also foil an agency's foil requests, to see what other people have asked for.
posted by Buffaload at 2:07 PM on April 13, 2012
posted by Buffaload at 2:07 PM on April 13, 2012
Well I read your question without clicking the link ... sorry 'bout that.
posted by Buffaload at 2:16 PM on April 13, 2012
posted by Buffaload at 2:16 PM on April 13, 2012
I'm guessing that the site I'm looking for wouldn't be endorsed by the government, because it makes FOIA requests too easy (and therefore increases the load).
Based on my experience making a good number of FOIA requests, the people who work in FOIA offices are all for supporting requests, so would likely make this as public as they could.
posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 2:26 PM on April 13, 2012
Based on my experience making a good number of FOIA requests, the people who work in FOIA offices are all for supporting requests, so would likely make this as public as they could.
posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 2:26 PM on April 13, 2012
Try the National Security Archive's FOIA resources. The GW server (NSA is run through GWU) seems to be a bit sketchy right now, though.
posted by quadrilaterals at 2:37 PM on April 13, 2012
posted by quadrilaterals at 2:37 PM on April 13, 2012
my most magic pony would be a site that links to many of these sites.
The basic idea is that under the FOIA, information is available unless some other statute specifically says that it isn't. Almost everything the government does is a matter of public record. I mean, really, here's your list.
Beyond that, part of your problem is that the Freedom of Information Act is strictly federal. If you're looking to get things from state or local governments, the FOIA isn't going to do you a lick of good. Most states have adopted their own versions of the FOIA, though they vary widely, and accessibility of records differs quite a bit. A lot of local governments are just barely getting their official ordinances online. Things like records of public meetings, while technically available, frequently need to be requested in writing or even in person in writing.
posted by valkyryn at 4:44 PM on April 13, 2012 [1 favorite]
The basic idea is that under the FOIA, information is available unless some other statute specifically says that it isn't. Almost everything the government does is a matter of public record. I mean, really, here's your list.
Beyond that, part of your problem is that the Freedom of Information Act is strictly federal. If you're looking to get things from state or local governments, the FOIA isn't going to do you a lick of good. Most states have adopted their own versions of the FOIA, though they vary widely, and accessibility of records differs quite a bit. A lot of local governments are just barely getting their official ordinances online. Things like records of public meetings, while technically available, frequently need to be requested in writing or even in person in writing.
posted by valkyryn at 4:44 PM on April 13, 2012 [1 favorite]
You could try your state's Attorney General's office - if you can't find info on their website, you can call their office or email. they like to help people.
posted by Occula at 7:22 PM on April 13, 2012
posted by Occula at 7:22 PM on April 13, 2012
Also http://ntis.gov/
(although often there are charges if the data is old)
posted by blue_wardrobe at 12:32 AM on April 14, 2012
(although often there are charges if the data is old)
posted by blue_wardrobe at 12:32 AM on April 14, 2012
Response by poster: I understand that most information held by the government is subject to FOIA. I was wondering if anyone had collected information about how to make common requests that might be of general interest. Looks like that is not the case.
posted by benbenson at 8:50 AM on April 14, 2012
posted by benbenson at 8:50 AM on April 14, 2012
Each federal agency that has a FOIA department should have a FOIA website with a list of frequently requested documents. A "general interest" request is likely to exasperate your local bureaucrat :)
posted by stratastar at 10:30 AM on April 14, 2012
posted by stratastar at 10:30 AM on April 14, 2012
FOIA requests are often used in investigative reporting. If you go to the website of the your local newspaper and do a search for "FOIA" you'll likely find requests that are titillating and/or of general interest (assuming your state has a FOIA law similar to the federal one).
posted by Mr Mister at 2:00 PM on April 14, 2012
posted by Mr Mister at 2:00 PM on April 14, 2012
* http://dissenter.firedoglake.com/foia/
* http://www.state.gov/m/a/ips/c36405.htm
* http://www.rcfp.org/foia-federal-letter-generator
* http://www.freedominfo.org/regions/north-america/united-states/
* http://www.citizen.org/litigation/free_info/
* http://www.splc.org/legalassistance/foiletter.asp
posted by QuakerMel at 10:02 PM on April 14, 2012
* http://www.state.gov/m/a/ips/c36405.htm
* http://www.rcfp.org/foia-federal-letter-generator
* http://www.freedominfo.org/regions/north-america/united-states/
* http://www.citizen.org/litigation/free_info/
* http://www.splc.org/legalassistance/foiletter.asp
posted by QuakerMel at 10:02 PM on April 14, 2012
also: http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/how-to-file-an-foia-request
some of those websites have links to all relevant agencies.
some have fill-in-the-blank electronic requests.
I ran across a super-duper-great one 6 months ago or so, and thought I had saved it for my own use later on, but cannot find it in my local or online bookmarks :(
posted by QuakerMel at 10:05 PM on April 14, 2012
some of those websites have links to all relevant agencies.
some have fill-in-the-blank electronic requests.
I ran across a super-duper-great one 6 months ago or so, and thought I had saved it for my own use later on, but cannot find it in my local or online bookmarks :(
posted by QuakerMel at 10:05 PM on April 14, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by The 10th Regiment of Foot at 1:00 PM on April 13, 2012 [1 favorite]