Freedom of Information Act

The Freedom of Information Act: Serving and Protecting

The United States of America is founded on democratic ideas and the security of individual rights and freedoms. Citizens are given freedoms to fulfill their aspirations and attain their goals. In order to fully protect our country’s people we must oblige by our democratic roots. It is on this notion that the Freedom of Information Act was constructed. In the late 1960s the United States was in a major transition towards the information age. As a society we left behind our industrial era and focused our attention in striving for technological advances. Information was becoming more and more accessible. It was in 1966 that the United States of America put forth the Freedom of Information Act found in Title Five of the United States code, Section 552. This allows citizens to attain federal agency records and information (U.S. Department of Justice, 2000).

The availability of information can serve as a huge benefit to the citizens in search. Allowing people to have authorizations of federal agency information gives them an understanding of their government and it’s doings. Our system of governing is based on its people and their contribution

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Individuals being prescribe with new drugs appearing on the market may desire knowing more detailed information on it’s history and possible side effects. Exemption seven entitled, ‘Records or Information Complied for Law Enforcement Purposes’ directs that, “all records or information complied for law enforcement purposes whose release could reasonably be expected to cause the specific harm (www. This time frame begins after the request is received. Furthermore the sixth exemption prevents others from researching information on an individual. Fears of jeopardizing national and public security as well as the private individual have produced a need to create exemptions in the Act. The Act has been made in order to serve its people better but also to ensure their safety and liberty. Although this Act helps to ensure citizens’ freedoms, exemptions must be made in order to protect the nation as a whole. With the threat of bioterrorism increasing, information on our country’s environmental resources must be protected. ’

In order to fulfill a request one must comply with a notarized form that proves their identity. With the high number of people requesting and the size of some documents needed it is not uncommon for backups to arise. ” Eight and nine continue with exemptions from information on financial institutions and geological and geophysical information and data concerning. Other forensic information can be helpful in knowing the full details of an event. An administration appeal is needed prior to the lawsuit and a response must have been made.

There are unnumbered reasons why citizens may request information from their federal government agencies.

Approximate Word count = 1272
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

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