FOIA
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UK government running ‘Orwellian’ unit to block release of ‘sensitive’ information
Exclusive: Secretive Cabinet Office ‘Clearing House’ for Freedom of Information requests also accused of “blacklisting” journalists; openDemocracy launching a legal bid for transparency Continue reading
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New UK laws could criminalise journalism
The British government is pushing ahead with “espionage legislation” that could criminalise the release of public information and impose even stricter controls on the UK media as part of an “epidemic of secrecy”. Continue reading
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New laws to criminalise public interest information
A new Declassified report published only a few days ago goes to show the situation we find our selves in right now. In the midst of a crisis, while the commentariat are lobbing rocks at each other over the endless scandals and the media are focused on the pandemic – the government continues to act… Continue reading
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The Prosecution of Julian Assange: His Right to Publish is Our Right to Know
15 February 2020 — Defend Wikileaks The Prosecution of Julian Assange: His Right to Publish is Our Right to Know Continue reading
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National Security Archive Joins Media Groups Versus Unlimited Gag Orders
The National Security Archive, along with 15 other media organizations, filed a “friend of the court” brief on April 29 challenging the FBI’s authority to issue national security letters (NSLs) without any judicial oversight and under indefinite gag orders. The letters demand business records from a wide array of organizations for national security investigations, and… Continue reading
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Redactions: The Declassified File
The impending release of the redacted Mueller report focuses new public attention on the systemic problem of over-classification and the routine overuse of exemptions to the Freedom of Information Act that are supposed to be reserved for protecting true secrets. Continue reading
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Metropolitan Police try to block Freedom of Information requests over Grenfell Tower By Simon Whelan
London Metropolitan Police have advised the Kensington and Chelsea Council (KCC) to prevent the release of correspondence that could provide damaging information on the failure to prevent a serious fire at Grenfell Tower. Police officers are monitoring and vetting Freedom of Information requests regarding what the council knew of fire risks to Grenfell Tower, and… Continue reading
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NSA: CIA Releases Controversial Bay of Pigs History
The CIA today released the long-contested Volume V of its official history of the Bay of Pigs invasion, which it had successfully concealed until now by claiming that it was a “draft” and could be withheld from the public under the FOIA’s “deliberative process” privilege. The National Security Archive fought the agency for years in… Continue reading
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International Right to Know Day Impact Stories
Today we celebrate the 14th annual International Right to Know Day by highlighting a few of the year’s most impactful news stories that were made possible by people taking advantage of right to know (RTK) laws around the world. Continue reading
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National Security Archive Launches Cyber Vault Web Site
30 March 2016 — National Security Archive New Resource Will Acquire and Publish Primary Documents on All Aspects of Cyber Activity National Security Archive Alert View the posting Washington, D.C., March 30, 2016 – The National Security Archive is pleased to announce the launch of its new Cyber Vault project web site. Continue reading
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Take action to save Freedom of Information today
This evening at 11.45pm, the Commission on Freedom of Information closes its call for evidence. The Act under scrutiny – Freedom of Information (FOIA) – has been used as a tool for transparency and accountability for over 10 years. Without it, we wouldn’t know about the MPs’ expenses scandal, or have seen positive changes to… Continue reading
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Help Save the FOIA Act!
There are serious problems with stubborn and powerful elites who refuse to accept that in a democracy the public have a right to know. Don’t let them get away with keeping the truth from you. Sign the petition and support the campaign to keep FOI strong. Continue reading
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UK Government cover up
Cover ups. Government scandals. Most have been exposed using Freedom of Information laws designed to keep democracy open. But now ministers are plotting to stifle these laws. Freedom of Information exposed the MPs’ expenses crisis. Unless there’s a huge public outcry against the government’s plans, our right to know what they’re up to could be… Continue reading
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Cuba/USA: CIA SUCCESSFULLY CONCEALS BAY OF PIGS HISTORY
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit yesterday joined the CIA’s cover-up of its Bay of Pigs disaster in 1961 by ruling that a 30-year-old volume of the CIA’s draft “official history” could be withheld from the public under the “deliberative process” privilege, even though four of the five volumes have previously been… Continue reading
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FOIA Sourcing: Cuban Intervention in Angola By Lauren Harper
In November 1975 while Angola was battling for independence and internal and external forces were competing for primacy, Cuban forces militarily intervened in support of the leftist MPLA movement and against US-supported movements.“By the end of 1975 the Cuban military in Angola numbered more than 25,000 troops. Following the retreat of Zaire and South Africa,… Continue reading
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NHS: Your right to know By Grahame Morris MP
What has often gone unnoticed [in the privatisation of the NHS] is the democratic deficit. The erosion of our rights to question those who run public services and spend our money. This is what prompted me to introduce a Ten Minute Rule Bill calling for Freedom of Information (FOI) legislation to be extended to private… Continue reading
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FRINFORMSUM 8/9/2013: NSA Revelations Might Play a Part in Upcoming German Elections, NSC Records Still Not Subject to the FOIA, and More By Lauren Harper
International fallout from Edward Snowden’s revelations of NSA surveillance methods continues this week, and might play a role in Germany’s upcoming elections. The German newspaper Der Spiegel reports that the NSA leaks demonstrate that German intelligence “sends massive amounts of intercepted data to the NSA,” and that “center-left Social Democrats have made the Snowden revelations… Continue reading
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How to Send a Good FOIA Request to the Department of State By Laura S. Kauer
The Department of State’s launch of its new Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) online request platform and terrific, comprehensive, 80,000-document online FOIA reading room, makes it a fitting time to review how to craft a good FOIA request to the Department of State (or any agency, actually). Continue reading
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“The Shell Game” and the Osama bin Laden Documents By Lauren Harper
What could possibly compel the government to go out of its way to hide the official record on the most important raid in history? It’s hard to fathom, but a recent Associated Press article by Richard Larner shows that the Pentagon is doing just that by sending all its records on the Osama bin Laden… Continue reading
The New Dark Age 