Snap-O Fact #61

In January, 2009, President Obama ordered the White House and all federal agencies to respect the Freedom of Information Act and overturned Bush-era limits on accessibility of federal documents. This legislation requires all federal agencies to act openly and fairly to the public; all actions must be taken based on the nation’s general interest instead of personal gains of the agencies. Instead of waiting for the public to demand the explanation, federal agencies are directed to actively and voluntarily give away information about the government’s functions to the public.

Sources:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/FreedomofInformationAct

http://www.btcnews.com/btcnews/4779

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/federal-eye/2009/01/_in_a_move_that.html

http://www.justice.gov/open/foia.html