A U.S. federal law allowing public access to unreleased government agency records.
Definition
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a federal statute that grants the public the right to request access to records from any federal executive branch agency, subject to certain exemptions and exclusions. It serves as a tool for transparency by enabling journalists, researchers, and citizens to obtain government documents not readily available to the public.
Why It Matters
Understanding FOIA is essential for researchers and investigators who need to obtain federal government records beyond those publicly posted, supporting fact verification, investigative reporting, and accountability efforts.