Gonzales Urged to Rescind Ashcroft FOIA Guidelines

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A number of news organizations have urged Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to rewrite four-year-old Justice Department guidelines to federal agencies on how to handle Freedom of Information Act requests. Former AG John Ashcroft issued the restrictive instructions on release of public information shortly after 9/11. Gonzales said in an interview with the AP he would “take a look” at the earlier memo. The AP, American Society of Newspaper Editors, Associated Press Managing Editors and Newspaper Association of America immediately sent letters urging the review. (7/29/05)