Agencies urged to change their FOIA data ways.

• Author: Swartz, Nikki
• Position: UP FRONT: News, Trends & Analysis

A study by the National Security Archive at George Washington University found that most federal agencies are still not complying with 1997 language in the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) that requires them to expand online access to records.

Only 21 percent of agencies post on their websites the four categories of information--agency opinions and orders, policy statements, frequently requested records, and guidance to agency staff--required by FOIA amendments more than 10 years after they became law. In addition, the study found that only 6 percent of agencies currently post all 10 types of information deemed essential under FOIA, including where to send requests, fee status, fee waivers, expedited processing, reply time, and exemptions.

Just 26 percent of agencies provide online forms for FOIA requests, according to the study, which also found that many agency web links are either missing or incorrect.

To help hold agencies accountable for FOIA responses, the Justice Department has issued a guidance requiring agencies to provide greater detail on how requests are processed and the request backlog as part of their annual FOIA reports.

The revised guidance incorporates legislative mandates from the Openness Promotes Effectiveness in our National (OPEN) Government Act of and a 2005 executive order that required increased reporting on FOIA activities. The new annual report forms...