The Freedom of Information Act: Agencies Are Processing More Requests but Redacting More Often

PRESS RELEASE
-For Immediate Release-
March 13, 2013

Contact: Brian Gumm, bgumm@foreffectivegov.org, 202-683-4812

The Freedom of Information Act: Agencies Are Processing More Requests but Redacting More Often

New Analysis Finds Better Response Rates, Fewer Backlogs, but Use of Law's Exemptions Is Up

WASHINGTON, March 13, 2013—In an analysis released today, the Center for Effective Government examined the performance of federal agencies in processing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests in fiscal year 2012 and found agency response rates improved. At the same time, agencies are using the law's exemptions more often to hold back some information in the requests that are granted.

The analysis finds that although the number of FOIA requests rose during the first term of the Obama administration, agencies have generally improved their processing rates so that the number of pending, unprocessed requests has dropped. Some agencies have even been able to significantly shrink their request backlogs. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), for example, reduced its backlogged FOIA requests by 30 percent between 2011 and 2012.

"Several agencies have made impressive gains, processing an increasing number of Freedom of Information Act requests and reducing their backlogs," said Sean Moulton, Director of Open Government Policy.

However, Freedom of Information Act Performance, 2012: Agencies Are Processing More Requests but Redacting More Often also notes that the use of partially redacted releases grew significantly. Between 2008 and 2012, the percentage of FOIA requests in which some information was withheld grew to 54 percent of all requests processed. The use of particular exemptions to justify FOIA denials also shifted over the past year.

The full text of the analysis is available online at http://www.foreffectivegov.org/fy2012-foia-analysis.

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The Center for Effective Government is dedicated to building an open, accountable government that invests in the common good, protects people and the environment, and advances the national priorities defined by an active, informed citizenry. Find the Center for Effective Government on Facebook and Twitter.

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