July 21st, 2009
Introduction
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) was enacted in 1966 and generally provides that any person has the right to request access to federal agency records or information. All agencies of the Executive Branch of the United States Government are required to disclose records upon receiving a written request for them, except those records (or portions of them) that are protected from disclosure by the nine exemptions and three exclusions of the FOIA. The right of access is enforceable in court, and it is supported at the administrative agency level by the “citizen-centered and results-oriented approach” of a presidential executive order.