Search results for "making FOIA requests" ...

• Winning Open Records Battles

  Langford gives tips on how to win open records battles. She details the things you can do to be prepared when requesting records because agencies don't always make the information easy to obtain.

  Tags: FOIA; open records; record requests; freedom of information; Sunshine laws; government records;

  By Terri Langford

  2010

• Fighting and winning open records battles

  Grimaldi outlines how to make the best use of FOIA laws. From planning your requests to fighting for documents, Grimaldi provides detailed insight into how to be an effective watchdog reporter.

  Tags: freedom of information; FOIA; sunshine laws; open records;

  By James Grilmadi

  2009

• Quick-hit watchdog stories: Where to find them

  Sforza describes the documents to ask for so journalists can "an eye on those holding the public trust and how they’re spending our money." Making a habit of gathering this material will provide a constant stream of stories at your fingertips.

  Tags: public trust; watchdog journalism; local government; public records; records requests; FOIA;

  By Teri Sforza

  2009

• Making the most of FOIA

  Alexander discusses using FOIA for your reporting. He addresses considerations you should make before you proceed with a FOIA request; what to ask for when you file your request; and follow-up once you have submitted your request. He also includes some helpful web links, and insights from fellow reporters.

  Tags: FOIA; Freedom of Information Act; open records;

  By Ames Alexander

  2009

• Battling the VA

  Adams discusses the approach to covering the Veterans Administration - both as a health system and a disability compensation system. He addresses the challenges of making FOIA requests of the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA). He outlines the data available from the VA, but also discloses the difficulty in having FOIA requests honored

  Tags: Veterans Administration; VA; Veterans Benefits Administration; VBA; Comp and Pen Master File; Voard of Veterans Appeals; VACOLS; Veterans Satisfaction Survey; National Survey of Veterans; Vital Signs database; internal VA memos; Monday Morning Reports; National Association of Veterans' Program Administrators; National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs; NAVPA; NASDVA; National Association of State Charities Officials; NASCONET

  By Chris Adams

  2008

• Finding/Negotiation for Data

  Doig discusses things to remember when making data requests. His tips include: "find out what information is being collected", "befriend the agency's data guru", and "get all the data you can." Each tip includes a detailed explanation.

  Tags: data negotiation; sunshine laws; public records; FOIA

  By Matthew Doig

  2008

• Better Record Requests

  Langford offers some tips for making effective requests for public records. The tips include "know your law" and "learn the lingo." Together, these twelve tips will turn you into a FOIA expert.

  Tags: open records; records requests; FOIA; records negotiation

  By Terri Langford

  2008

• Making FOI Work for Investigations

  McClure provides a list of helpful hints to consider when making FOI requests. He advises other ways of getting information if you're having trouble with compliance, time tables for FOI requests, fee waivers and much more. McClure also provides a list of helpful Web sites and a sample FOI-request letter.

  Tags: FOI; FOIA; Freedom of Information; access to records; public records; obtaining documents

  By Robert McClure

  2006

• FOIA Tip Sheet

  Scott Reeder, a 2005 IRE Award Winner, provides a list of tips for reporters who are working on projects in which FOI requests are necessary. He gives advice on how to know what you're asking for, how to deal with uncooperative officials and more. Reeder also includes his major investigation of teacher tenure in Illinois, in which he filed 1,500 FOI requests with almost 900 governmental entities and gained 100% compliance.

  Tags: freedom of information; Freedom of Information Act (FOIA); public records; requesting documents; investigative methods; gaining access to public information

  By Scott Reeder

  2006

• FOI in Europe: Pioneering in a complex legal situation

  Brigitte Alfter offers information about Freedom of Information in Europe, and includes tips about dealing with the process, whom to make requests to and the various approaches to FOI of the EU member states. En espanol: #2869

  Tags: European Union (EU); Freedom of Information (FOI); accessing public records

  By Brigitte Alfter

  2006