FOIA Under Fire
Federal government blocks more documents than ever as landmark transparency law turns 60
The Freedom of Information Act, a landmark government transparency law, has turned 60, but its effectiveness is being undermined by the federal government's increasing tendency to block document requests, as reported by Democracy Now!. This month marks a significant milestone in the history of transparency, but the current state of FOIA is a far cry from its original intent, with the government blocking more documents than ever, prompting concerns that oversight efforts expand to counter this trend.
The federal government's lack of transparency is not limited to the FOIA, as evident from the Oversight.gov website, which highlights the importance of independent oversight in ensuring accountability, particularly in cases like the U.S. assistance to Ukraine, where over 20 oversight entities have worked together to deliver whole-of-government oversight. However, despite these efforts, government transparency remains a major concern, with some arguing that FOIA turns 60 amid blockage of critical information, undermining the very purpose of the law.
In recent years, the government has been accused of playing a game of "not my job" when it comes to transparency, as noted by the Rimbey Review, which awarded the Government of Alberta the 2026 "Code of Silence" Award for Government Secrecy. This lack of accountability has led to calls for greater transparency, with some arguing that it begins with accountability, not optics, as stated by Chester Receiver Vijay Kapoor in a guest column, emphasizing the need for oversight expands to ensure that government actions are subject to scrutiny.
As the government continues to block document requests, it is becoming increasingly difficult for citizens to access critical information, including the Budget of the U.S. Government, which is supposed to be publicly available. This lack of transparency has far-reaching consequences, including undermining trust in government institutions and hindering accountability, as seen in the case of Albania's Flamingo Revolution, where protests against a luxury resort have brought attention to the need for greater transparency in government dealings.
As I reflect on the state of the Freedom of Information Act, I firmly believe that FOIA is under fire. The increasing trend of government agencies delaying or denying requests for public information is alarming. If nothing changes, the real winners will be corrupt government officials and corporate interests who seek to hide their wrongdoings from the public eye. I argue that it is imperative we take action to strengthen FOIA and ensure transparency in our government. Without a free flow of information, the public is left in the dark, and accountability suffers. We must act to protect FOIA.
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