Introduction

The federal FOIA provides access to all records of most federal agencies in the executive branch, unless those records fall within one of nine categories of exempt information that agencies are permitted (but generally not required) to withhold.

By making records of federal agencies presumptively available upon request, FOIA guarantees the public’s right to inspect a storehouse of documents.

Journalists, scholars, and the public have used FOIA to investigate a variety of news stories and historical events. Their discoveries have often brought about crucial change to many aspects of public life.