Freedom of Information Litigation Resources on the Web, National Security Archive - USA

freedominfo.org http://freedominfo.org
A one-stop portal that describes best practices, consolidates lessons learned, explains campaign strategies and tactics, and links the efforts of freedom of information advocates around the world. It contains essential information on freedom of information laws and how they were drafted and implemented, including how various provisions have worked in practice.

Article 19, http://www.article19.org/
London-based NGO that monitors, lobbies and litigates on behalf of freedom of expression. It also campaigns for the right to access information held by governments, public authorities and private bodies and companies. Article 19 has posted a Model Freedom of Information Law on its site and also has a Survey of Access to Information in South Asia.

Access Reports, http://www.accessreports.com/
Edited by U.S. lawyer and journalist Harry Hammit, Access Reports provides updates on freedom of information and privacy issues in the United States and Canada, including analyses of court decisions, laws, regulations and agency guidelines. [Paid subscription]

U.S. Department of Justice
Guide to the Freedom of Information Act (2004), http://www.usdoj.gov/oip/foi-act.htm
Summary of FOIA exemptions and procedure prepared and published by the Department of Justice.

Freedom of Information Case List (2004), http://www.usdoj.gov/04foia/cl-tofc.html
Compilation of judicial decisions, both published and unpublished, under the Freedom of Information Act, the Privacy Act of 1974, the Government in the Sunshine Act, and the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Prepared and published by the Department of Justice.

U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Government Reform
A Citizen’s Guide on Using the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act of 1974 to Request Government Records (2005), http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/cpquery
House Committee on Government Reform guide to the Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act.

Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC)
Litigation Under the Federal Open Government Laws (2004), http://www.epic.org/bookstore/foia2004/
Comprehensive reference work covering all aspects of the Freedom of Information Act, the Privacy Act, the Government in the Sunshine Act, and the Federal Advisory Committee Act, based on the experience of lawyers, journalists, and researchers in the field; appendixes (available free online) include the text of the relevant acts and sample pleadings for litigators. [Book available for purchase]

Public Citizen
The Freedom of Information Act: A User’s Guide (2002), http://www.citizen.org/litigation/free_info/articles.cfm?ID=5208
Brochure that provides a general description of the FOIA and specific guidelines on how to use it effectively.

Reporters’ Committee for Freedom of the Press
Tapping Officials’ Secrets (2001), http://www.rcfp.org/cgi-local/tapping/index.cgi
An authoritative guide to public records laws in all 50 states.

Freedom of Information Center at University of Missouri School of Journalism
Federal and State FOI Resources and Guides, http://foi.missouri.edu/laws.html
The center now has a collection of more than 1 million articles and documents about access to information at the state, federal and local levels, in addition to a wide collection of online document accessible through its webpage.

National Freedom of Information Coalition
State and National Freedom of Information Resources, http://www.nfoic.org/web/index.htm
Comprehensive guide to obtaining information guaranteed under state and federal open meetings and open records laws in the United States.

Society of Professional Journalists
Open Doors: Accessing Government Records, http://www.spj.org/foia_opendoors.asp
Resources for journalists using FOIA, including basic concepts, the role of freedom of information in the news, and a section on “FOIA and the courts.”