FOIA and Federal Open Government

The Reporters Committee provides a variety of resources on public records and open meetings laws, also known as sunshine laws, right to know laws, or freedom of information acts. These laws provide a legal basis for access to government records and meetings, with certain exceptions, and are used by reporters and news media organizations to inform the public on the workings of government.

For our guide on the Federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), visit the FOIA Wiki. The FOIA Wiki has information on submitting requests, exemptions, administrative appeals, and most other topics related to the federal FOIA.

For information on state public records and open meetings laws, visit our Open Government Guide. The Open Government Guide is a complete compendium of information on every state’s open records and open meetings laws. Each state is arranged according to a standard outline, enabling the comparison of laws in various states on specific topics.