There could be fewer Sunshine Week presents more welcome in the FOI community than the new "Holder memo," a directive from U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder directing all executive branch departments and agencies to administer Freedom of Information Act requests with a presumption of openness.
The move overrides the Ashcroft memo, so-named for the former attorney general who gave agencies more leeway to deny FOIA requests.
"By restoring the presumption of disclosure that is at the heart of the Freedom of Information Act, we are making a critical change that will restore the public’s ability to access information in a timely manner," said Attorney General Holder.
"The American people have the right to information about their government’s activities, and these new guidelines will ensure they are able to obtain that information under principles of openness and transparency," he added.
"Today's memorandum sends a clear message: when in doubt, let it out. The lights are back on," noted Sunshine in Government Initiative Coordinator Rick Blum. Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press Executive Director Lucy Dalglish commented, "The Holder memo is a refreshing change from the disastrous standard set by former Attorney General John Ashcroft in 2001." And National Security Archive General Counsel Meredith Fuchs remarked, "The new attorney general guidelines read as if there is a new show in town and for the first time in eight years everyone is welcome to come see it."
Holder's announcement and a copy of the memo can be viewed at the Department of Justice Web site.
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