Government Field Offices Should Better Implement the Freedom of Information Act
LCD-78-120: Published: Jul 25, 1978. Publicly Released: Aug 7, 1978.
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The Freedom of Information Act provides the basic authority and procedure for the public to obtain documents and records from the Federal Government.
The act has given citizens access to records not previously available. Although it is being used mostly by businesses and law firms for purposes not contemplated by the Congress, any attempt to regulate such use could also restrict use by the public. Most agencies are making a reasonable effort to meet the act's time requirements for responding to requests, but a few agencies have not responded within the 10-day time limit. Agencies should evaluate each step of the process and consider establishing time limits for each step. Agencies are not abusing fee provisions of the act. On the contrary, there is a reluctance to assess fees, and clarification is needed in this area. One problem area is in applying exemptions from disclosure listed in the act. Agencies differed in denials of requests and in determining what constituted a denial. Additional training on the act is needed in some agency field offices with variations among agencies in amount and type of training needed. Improvement is also needed in support by agency management of programs for providing public access to government records and in the quality of agency reports on implementation of the act.
Oct 8, 2020
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Open Data:
Agencies Need Guidance to Establish Comprehensive Data Inventories; Information on Their Progress is LimitedGAO-21-29: Published: Oct 8, 2020. Publicly Released: Oct 8, 2020.
Jul 16, 2020
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Coast Guard:
Actions Needed to Ensure Investments in Key Data System Meet Mission and User NeedsGAO-20-562: Published: Jul 16, 2020. Publicly Released: Jul 16, 2020.
Mar 30, 2020
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Information Management:
Selected Agencies Need to Fully Address Federal Electronic Recordkeeping RequirementsGAO-20-59: Published: Feb 27, 2020. Publicly Released: Mar 30, 2020.
Mar 16, 2020
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Freedom of Information Act:
Federal Agencies' Recent Implementation EffortsGAO-20-406R: Published: Mar 11, 2020. Publicly Released: Mar 16, 2020.
Dec 16, 2019
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Assessing Data Reliability (Supersedes GAO-09-680G)GAO-20-283G: Published: Dec 16, 2019. Publicly Released: Dec 16, 2019.
Oct 17, 2019
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Freedom of Information Act:
DHS Needs to Reduce Backlogged Requests and Eliminate Duplicate ProcessingGAO-20-209T: Published: Oct 17, 2019. Publicly Released: Oct 17, 2019.
Aug 10, 2018
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Paperwork Reduction Act:
Agencies Could Better Leverage Review Processes and Public Outreach to Improve Burden EstimatesGAO-18-381: Published: Jul 11, 2018. Publicly Released: Aug 10, 2018.
Jun 25, 2018
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Freedom of Information Act:
Agencies Are Implementing Requirements but Additional Actions Are NeededGAO-18-365: Published: Jun 25, 2018. Publicly Released: Jun 25, 2018.
Mar 13, 2018
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Freedom of Information Act:
Agencies Are Implementing Requirements but Need to Take Additional ActionsGAO-18-452T: Published: Mar 13, 2018. Publicly Released: Mar 13, 2018. -
Freedom of Information Act:
Federal Court Decisions Have Not Required the Office of Special Counsel to Initiate Disciplinary Actions for the Improper Withholding of RecordsGAO-18-235R: Published: Mar 13, 2018. Publicly Released: Mar 13, 2018.
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