NARA names new FOIA ombudsman.

• Position: GOVERNMENT RECORDS - National Archives and Records Administration appointed Miriam Nisbet - Freedom of Information Act - Brief article

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) has hired Miriam Nisbet to lead its new Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) and serve as the newly created Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) ombudsman.

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The ombudsman's office was created by the 2007 amendments to FOIA to serve as an intermediary between government agencies and requesters to help resolve access disputes.

The OGIS director is responsible for:

* Reviewing policies and procedures of administrative agencies under FOIA

* Reviewing compliance with FOIA by administrative agencies

* Recommending policy changes to Congress and the president to improve the administration of FOIA

* Offering mediation services to resolve disputes between persons making FOIA requests and administrative agencies, and potentially issuing advisory opinions if mediation...