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Simple English definitions for legal terms
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
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A quick definition of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA):
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a law that lets people ask the government for information that is available to the public. This means that anyone can ask for records or documents from the government, like rules or policies, unless they are private or secret. You have to ask for the information in writing, and you can only get information from the executive branch of the government, not from the courts or Congress.
A more thorough explanation:
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a federal law that allows individuals and organizations to request access to government information that is available to the public. This law requires executive agencies to provide information that is relevant to their functions, procedures, policies, and rules. However, some information may be exempt from disclosure under certain circumstances.
For example, if someone wants to access archival records or operational records from the National Archives, they can make a FOIA request to gain access to executive branch information. However, certain types of information, such as classified national security information or personal privacy information, may be exempt from disclosure under FOIA.
It's important to note that FOIA only applies to the records of the executive branch of the federal government. This means that FOIA does not apply to the records of the federal courts or the Congress.
Overall, FOIA is an important tool for promoting transparency and accountability in government by allowing individuals and organizations to access information that is in the public interest.