The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), passed in 1966, is a crucial tool for whistleblowers and citizens seeking transparency from the U.S. government. Initially controversial, the act mandates that records of the Executive Branch be open for public inspection, allowing any person to request access. These records will enable the public to discover the government’s information about them and understand the policies agencies use to govern the public. The law calls for all government agencies to publish specific categories of information online, including frequently requested records and allows citizens to request information. 

The 1966 law faced issues with bureaucratic delays by the Executive Branch. Amended in 1974 after the Watergate scandal, the FOIA was improved to create a structured process for making written requests to the appropriate agency, utilizing fee waivers, and expediting responses to combat delays. The law is designed to be easily used, with government resources available to assist requesters.

Each agency has specific FOIA request procedures published in the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations, often available on their websites. The FOIA includes nine exemptions agencies can apply to protect certain records from public release. These exemptions cover common protected topics such as national security and trade secrets.