With this year’s annual Sunshine Week events behind us, it is time to reflect on what were the major themes and trends from the open government community. Last year’s major trends were mostly evolved around the utilization of technology and specifically, the emergence of the FOIA portal. This
The irrational rationality behind technology as a solution to technological problems, when talking about Freedom of Information request, cannot go unnoticed. In the past, there were two ways to communicate information: handwritten or verbal, either in person or a phone call. Today, there are many more ways of
In 2009, the Obama administration entered the White House and called for a more open and transparent government. They sought sweeping initiatives that planned to make information more easily accessible and set goals for streamlining the FOIA process. However, in the quest for a more open and transparent
The Virginia Press Association reported that the Virginia’s House of Delegates passed a bill that would order the Information Advisory Council to review all of Virginia’s Freedom of Information exemptions. Government Transparency is prevented in agencies that are exempted; currently Virginia has 172 exemptions from FOIA laws. Virginia’s FOIA
The future of the FOIA and FOIA processing will continually change as the government and society adopt the latest advancements in technology. In the coming decade, great strides in transparency and open government will be made to alleviate the burden placed on agencies. It is no secret that the
Beau Biden, Attorney General for the State of Delaware, has announced plans to increase awareness of rights and responsibilities under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Biden, who is committed to enforcing Delaware’s FOIA laws, will hold a “Freedom of Information Act Roadshow” for members of the public
There was a time not too long ago when FOIA was done without the assistance of the modern technologies that currently drive many agencies and offices’ FOIA operations. With every new technology, a FOIA professional’s job may ultimately get easier or at least more efficient, but along with
Watchdog.org recently reported that Virginia Delegate Jim LeMunyon has filed a resolution that would charge Virginia’s Freedom of Information Advisory Council (which advises state officials and the public on FOIA-related issues) with reviewing each exemption and deciding which exemptions should be eliminated. The Virginia Freedom of Information Act currently has more
Ever since the Edward Snowden document leaks in June 2013, the National Security Administration (NSA) has been flooded by open records requests, an 888% increase from the past fiscal year. Edward Snowden leaked classified NSA documents to media outlets“This was the largest spike we’ve ever had,” said Pamela
By: Michelle S. Ever since the Edward Snowden document leaks in June 2013, the National Security Administration (NSA) has been flooded by open records requests, an 888% increase from the past fiscal year. Edward Snowden leaked classified NSA documents to media outlets“This was the largest spike we’ve ever had,”
