Stimulus for government transparency
Two years later, it appears there will be someone to settle disputes between the federal government and citizens seeking information from it.
Congress this week approved $1 million to fund an ombudsman that will try to resolve disputes arising under the Freedom of Information Act.
In other words, if you request documents from the FBI, the Department of Defense, the the U.S. Forest Service or any other unit of the federal government, and are denied, you might be able to ask the ombudsman to review the case.
The ombudsman was created in 2007, but Congress and the Bush Administration did not supply fundiing for the post.
Congress this week approved $1 million to fund an ombudsman that will try to resolve disputes arising under the Freedom of Information Act.
In other words, if you request documents from the FBI, the Department of Defense, the the U.S. Forest Service or any other unit of the federal government, and are denied, you might be able to ask the ombudsman to review the case.
"This is an important step towards having a fully functioning FOIA ombudsman," said Rick Blum, coordinator of the Sunshine in Government Initiative. "For too many years, government transparency has been in crisis."
The ombudsman was created in 2007, but Congress and the Bush Administration did not supply fundiing for the post.
Labels: FOIA
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