The act provides public access to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts and policies of those who represent them. The act is designed to allow public access to information held by public bodies which is not routinely available through other sources. Privacy statement accessibility european legislation identifier pdf open. Sep 02, 2008 the freedom of information act and the ecology of transparency. The freedom of information act 1989 vii recommendations recommendation 1 4. Information that is no longer readily available as it is contained in files that have been placed in archive storage, or is difficult to access for similar reasons. Section 16 of the freedom of information foi act 1997. Publication of information concerning functions, etc. A receiver is also to file a statement with the registrar of companies at the end of. Fas foia lawsuit for disclosure of unclassified nro budget documents for fy 2006. A citizens guide on using the freedom of information act. Information about this reprint this act is reprinted as at 8 july 1997. Annual report foia 2004 5 executive summary the freedom of information act, 1999 gives members of the public the right of access to information in the possession of public authorities, subject to certain speci.
As we conduct university business, it is important to remember that correspondence, including email, files. Freedom of information act an act to give members of the public a general right with exceptions of access to official documents of public authorities and for matters related thereto. Apr 11, 2003 act to amend the freedom of information act 1997 and to provide for related matters. The new act introduced a number of changes to the freedom of information scheme and widened the range of bodies to which the foi legislation applies to. Freedom of information act 2011 laws of the federation of nigeria an act to make public records and information more freely available, provide for public access to public records and information, protect public records and information to the extent consistent with the public interest and the protection of. The act provides, that from april 21st 1998, every person has the following new legal rights. Cavenham 1987 the presentation was conducted at the good deeds community center in gulfport on august 20, 20, after public notifications and invitations were issued. An overview of the freedom of information acts 1997 and 2003 the main objective of the act is to foster and develop a culture of openness, transparency and accountability in public bodies. Section 1516 manual freedom of information acts 1997 to 2003 9th august 2006 commission for aviation regulation 3rd floor, alexandra house earlsfort terrace dublin 2. The act is designed to allow public access to information held by public bodies which. The freedom of information act 2000 provides public access to information. Publication of information regarding rules and practices in relation to certain decisions by public bodies.
This act may be cited as the freedom of information act, citation and 1997. Freedom of information act university of illinois at. The freedom of information act department of justice. Fas foia lawsuit against cia for fy 1997 intelligence budget. Act binds the state part ii publication of certain documents and information 7.
Chapter 6 of the section 15 reference book sets out how to access information under the foi acts. Some critics have deplored foia as a romantic effort at self help oversight. Files created in response to requests for infonnation under the freedom of info. Nov 26, 2012 freedom of information refers to a citizens right to access information that is held by the state. An act to give to members of the public rights of access to official documents of the government of the commonwealth and of its agencies. The freedom of information act 1997 foi act as amended by the freedom of. Commencement the provisions of this act come into operation on such day as is, or days as are respectively, fixed by proclamation 1. The freedom of information act foia is a federal law that generally provides that any person has a right. Since that time, the act has extended to local authorities, health boards and other public bodies. This will allow for the public to access a decision letter, a list of documents released, and the actual content of an foi disclosure. What is the freedom of information act 1997 cheshire ireland. Registered office as above a short guide to the freedom of information act and other new access rights version 1. The freedom of information act and the ecology of transparency. Act to enable members of the public to obtain access, to the greatest extent possible consistent with the public interest and the right to privacy, to information in the possession of public bodies and to enable persons to have personal information relating to them in the possession of such bodies corrected and, accordingly, to provide for a right of access to records held by such bodies, for.
All newly enacted provisions in boldface type replace the strikethrough text. Any amendments to the acts freedom of information act or the freedom oflnformation scheme operating in the act. Section 1516 manual freedom of information acts 1997 to 2003 9th august 2006 commission for aviation regulation 3rd floor, alexandra house earlsfort terrace dublin 2 ireland. The act replaced the access provisions for uk public records set out in the public records act 195867 and also governs access to information held by most public sector bodies. Freedom of information act 1992 an act to provide for public access to documents, and to enable the public to ensure that personal information in documents is accurate, complete, up to date and not misleading, and for related purposes. In many countries, this freedom is supported as a constitutional right. What is the freedom of information act 1997 cheshire. Creating a new era of open government, department of justice, april 17, 2009. Authorised by the act parliamentary counselalso accessible at. Act to amend the freedom of information act 1997 and to provide for related matters. Legal right for any person to obtain reasons for an act of foi body in which they have a material interest continued from 1997 act. Feb 16, 2012 act enactment means an enactment as defined by section 3 of the australian capital territory self. Universities have been subject to the terms of the act since 1 october 2001. Cavenham 1987 pdf 21 pp, 4 mb, august 20, 20 contact us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
You may need a pdf reader to view some of the files on this page. Appendix 9 summary of the freedom of information act, 1997. The acts are also available for download as pdf files. Freedom of information acts, 1997 and 2003 section 15 reference book preface to guide this guide is prepared in accordance with the requirements set out in section 15 of the freedom of information act, 1997 as amended by the freedom of information act, 2003. An overview of the freedom of information acts 1997 and 2003. The freedom of information act, as amended by the foia improvement act of 2016 doj reply to congressional questions on foia policy, june 10, 20 in reply to february 4, 20 letter office of information policy oi guidance. On 14 october 2014, the freedom of information act 2014 came into effect and repealed the 1997 and 2003 acts. The freedom of information act foia is a law that gives you the right to access information from the federal government. Right of person to information regarding acts of public bodies affecting the person. Freedom of information refers to a citizens right to access information that is held by the state. October 1, 1997, and may establish additional requirements for such reports.
Freedom of information act, 1997 irish statute book. John masefield high school has an obligation under the freedom of information act foia to produce a. Below is the full text of the freedom of information act in a form showing all. The campaign for freedom of information suite 102, 16 baldwins gardens london ec1n 7rj tel. The court shall award, in addition to any actual or compensatory damages, punitive. Mar 05, 2020 freedom of information act foia the freedom of information act, or foia 5 u. What is the freedom of information act foia the freedom of information act foia is a federal law that gives any person, including u.
Amendment of records relating to personal information. An act to make provision for the disclosure of information held by public authorities or by persons providing services for them and to amend the data protection act 1998 and the public records act 1958. The freedom of information act 1989 act is modelled on the freedom of information act 1982 cwlth. Freedom of information act central bank of nigeria. The freedom of information act 1997 foi act as amended by the freedom of information amendment act 2003 obliged government departments, the health service executive hse, local authorities and a range of other public bodies to publish information on their activities and to make the information that they held, including personal information, available to citizens. Family name last name given name first name middle name. The freedom of information act 1992 required the government to make available to members of the community documents that the government held concerning their personal affairs to ensure that the information held was accurate, complete, uptodate and not misleading. However, providing this information may assist uscis in locating the records and information needed to respond to your request. Short title this act may be cited as the freedom of information act 1992 1. The freedom of information act, as amended by the foia improvement act of 2016. The freedom of information act, 1999 arrangement of sections part i preliminary section 1. It is often described as the law that keeps citizens in the know about their government. Any amendments to the act s freedom of information act or the freedom oflnformation scheme operating in the act.
Recorded information includes printed documents, computer files. Section 40 1 of the freedom of information act, 1999 requires that the minister as. Freedom of information act 1992 part 1 preliminary s. It is intended as a practical guide to the services of the national roads authority, to. Freedom of information acts 1997 and 2003 sections 15. This act may be cited as the freedom of information act. The access provisions of the freedom of information act came fully into force in january 2005. The freedom of information act foia generally provides that any person has the right to request access to federal agency records or information except to the extent the records are protected from disclosure by any of nine exemptions contained in the law or by one of three special law enforcement record exclusions.
In the united states, the freedom of information act allows for the disclosure of government documents and previously unreleased information that falls under the u. The right to access official records held by government departments and other public bodies scheduled under the act e. John masefield high school has an obligation under the freedom of information act foia to produce a publication scheme outlining how we will meet our duties under the foia. Pdf the freedom of information act and the ecology of. Ordinance on freedom of information in the administration. In addition to the above information, the epa also makes a wide range of information on schemes and enactments available through publications and information leaflets. Freedom of info around the world national democratic institute. Freedom of information act foia the freedom of information act, or foia 5 u. Freedom of information institute of technology sligo. Freedom of information act 1992 reprinted as in force on 1 july 2009 reprint no. The freedom of information foi act 1997, effective from 21 april 1998, establishes three statutory rights.