CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en-US"> <head>  <meta charset="utf-8">  <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge">  <meta name="description" content="The FOIA became effective in 1967, and its purpose was to provide a statutory basis for public access to official agency information previously restricted from public view." /> <meta name="HandheldFriendly" content="True"> <meta name="MobileOptimized" content="320"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0"> <meta name="apple-mobile-web-app-title" content="BBG" />  <meta property="og:locale" content="en_US"> <meta property="og:type" content="website" /> <meta property="og:title" content="USAGM" /> <meta property="og:description" content="The FOIA became effective in 1967, and its purpose was to provide a statutory basis for public access to official agency information previously restricted from public view." /> <meta property="og:image" content="https://www.usagm.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/USAGM-Watermark-Logo.png" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.usagm.gov/foia/" />  <meta property="twitter:card" content="summary"> <meta name="twitter:site" content="@bbginnovate"> <meta property="twitter:title" content="USAGM"> <meta property="twitter:description" content="The FOIA became effective in 1967, and its purpose was to provide a statutory basis for public access to official agency information previously restricted from public view."> <meta property="twitter:image" content="https://www.usagm.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/USAGM-Watermark-Logo.png">  <meta property="og:site_name" content="USAGM" />  <meta property="fb:app_id" content="1288914594517692" /> <link rel="profile" href="http://gmpg.org/xfn/11"> <link rel="pingback" href="">  <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="//tags.tiqcdn.com"> <title>Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) – USAGM</title> <meta name='robots' content='max-image-preview:large' /> <script type="text/javascript"> var utag_data = { "page_type": "page", "post_title": "freedom of information act (foia)", "url": "https:\/\/www.usagm.gov\/foia", "content_type": "freedom of information act (foia)", "post_slug": "foia", "language": "english", "language_service": "usagm english", "short_language_service": "en", "platform": "web", "platform_short": "w", "entity": "usagm", "property_name": "usagm", "property_id": "bbg", "domain": "www.usagm.gov", "rsid_acct": "bbgprod" }; </script> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="USAGM » Feed" href="https://www.usagm.gov/feed/" /> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="USAGM » Comments Feed" href="https://www.usagm.gov/comments/feed/" /> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="USAGM » Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Comments Feed" href="https://www.usagm.gov/foia/feed/" /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='wp-block-library-css' href='https://www.usagm.gov/wp-includes/css/dist/block-library/style.min.css?ver=6.6.2' type='text/css' media='all' /> <style id='classic-theme-styles-inline-css' type='text/css'> /*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} </style> <style id='global-styles-inline-css' type='text/css'> :root{--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--square: 1;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--4-3: 4/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-4: 3/4;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-2: 3/2;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--2-3: 2/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--16-9: 16/9;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--9-16: 9/16;--wp--preset--color--black: #000000;--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray: #abb8c3;--wp--preset--color--white: #ffffff;--wp--preset--color--pale-pink: #f78da7;--wp--preset--color--vivid-red: #cf2e2e;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange: #ff6900;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber: #fcb900;--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan: #7bdcb5;--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan: #00d084;--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue: #8ed1fc;--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue: #0693e3;--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple: #9b51e0;--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(6,147,227,1) 0%,rgb(155,81,224) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(122,220,180) 0%,rgb(0,208,130) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(252,185,0,1) 0%,rgba(255,105,0,1) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(255,105,0,1) 0%,rgb(207,46,46) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(238,238,238) 0%,rgb(169,184,195) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(74,234,220) 0%,rgb(151,120,209) 20%,rgb(207,42,186) 40%,rgb(238,44,130) 60%,rgb(251,105,98) 80%,rgb(254,248,76) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,206,236) 0%,rgb(152,150,240) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(254,205,165) 0%,rgb(254,45,45) 50%,rgb(107,0,62) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,203,112) 0%,rgb(199,81,192) 50%,rgb(65,88,208) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,245,203) 0%,rgb(182,227,212) 50%,rgb(51,167,181) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(202,248,128) 0%,rgb(113,206,126) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--midnight: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(2,3,129) 0%,rgb(40,116,252) 100%);--wp--preset--font-size--small: 13px;--wp--preset--font-size--medium: 20px;--wp--preset--font-size--large: 36px;--wp--preset--font-size--x-large: 42px;--wp--preset--spacing--20: 0.44rem;--wp--preset--spacing--30: 0.67rem;--wp--preset--spacing--40: 1rem;--wp--preset--spacing--50: 1.5rem;--wp--preset--spacing--60: 2.25rem;--wp--preset--spacing--70: 3.38rem;--wp--preset--spacing--80: 5.06rem;--wp--preset--shadow--natural: 6px 6px 9px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);--wp--preset--shadow--deep: 12px 12px 50px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4);--wp--preset--shadow--sharp: 6px 6px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);--wp--preset--shadow--outlined: 6px 6px 0px -3px rgba(255, 255, 255, 1), 6px 6px rgba(0, 0, 0, 1);--wp--preset--shadow--crisp: 6px 6px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 1);}:where(.is-layout-flex){gap: 0.5em;}:where(.is-layout-grid){gap: 0.5em;}body .is-layout-flex{display: flex;}.is-layout-flex{flex-wrap: wrap;align-items: center;}.is-layout-flex > :is(*, div){margin: 0;}body .is-layout-grid{display: grid;}.is-layout-grid > :is(*, div){margin: 0;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap: 1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap: 1.25em;}.has-black-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red) !important;}.has-very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-cool-to-warm-spectrum-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum) !important;}.has-blush-light-purple-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple) !important;}.has-blush-bordeaux-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux) !important;}.has-luminous-dusk-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk) !important;}.has-pale-ocean-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean) !important;}.has-electric-grass-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass) !important;}.has-midnight-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--midnight) !important;}.has-small-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--small) !important;}.has-medium-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--medium) !important;}.has-large-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--large) !important;}.has-x-large-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--x-large) !important;} :where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap: 1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap: 1.25em;} :where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap: 2em;} :root :where(.wp-block-pullquote){font-size: 1.5em;line-height: 1.6;} </style> <link rel='stylesheet' id='edsanimate-animo-css-css' href='https://www.usagm.gov/wp-content/plugins/animate-it/assets/css/animate-animo.css?ver=6.6.2' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='contact-form-7-css' href='https://www.usagm.gov/wp-content/plugins/contact-form-7/includes/css/styles.css?ver=5.9.8' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='bbginnovate-style-css' href='https://www.usagm.gov/wp-content/themes/bbgRedesign/style.css?ver=6.6.2' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='bbginnovate-style-fonts-css' href='https://www.usagm.gov/wp-content/themes/bbgRedesign/fonts/carrera-fonts.css?ver=6.6.2' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='selector-css-css' href='https://www.usagm.gov/wp-content/themes/bbgRedesign/js/vendor/selection-sharer.css?ver=6.6.2' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='fontawesome-css-brands-css' href='https://www.usagm.gov/wp-content/themes/bbgRedesign/css/fa/css/brands.css?ver=6.6.2' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='fontawesome-css-solid-css' href='https://www.usagm.gov/wp-content/themes/bbgRedesign/css/fa/css/solid.css?ver=6.6.2' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='fontawesome-css-css' href='https://www.usagm.gov/wp-content/themes/bbgRedesign/css/fa/css/fontawesome.css?ver=6.6.2' type='text/css' media='all' /> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.usagm.gov/wp-includes/js/jquery/jquery.min.js?ver=3.7.1" id="jquery-core-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.usagm.gov/wp-includes/js/jquery/jquery-migrate.min.js?ver=3.4.1" id="jquery-migrate-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.usagm.gov/wp-content/themes/bbgRedesign/js/vendor/selection-sharer.js?ver=6.6.2" id="selector-script-js"></script> <link rel="https://api.w.org/" href="https://www.usagm.gov/wp-json/" /><link rel="alternate" title="JSON" type="application/json" href="https://www.usagm.gov/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/2597" /><link rel="EditURI" type="application/rsd+xml" title="RSD" href="https://www.usagm.gov/xmlrpc.php?rsd" /> <meta name="generator" content="WordPress 6.6.2" /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.usagm.gov/foia/" /> <link rel='shortlink' href='https://www.usagm.gov/?p=2597' /> <link rel="alternate" title="oEmbed (JSON)" type="application/json+oembed" href="https://www.usagm.gov/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usagm.gov%2Ffoia%2F" /> <link rel="alternate" title="oEmbed (XML)" type="text/xml+oembed" href="https://www.usagm.gov/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usagm.gov%2Ffoia%2F&format=xml" /> <script type="text/javascript"> bbgConfig = {}; bbgConfig.MAPBOX_API_KEY = 'pk.eyJ1IjoiYmJnd2ViZGV2IiwiYSI6ImNpcDVvY3VqYjAwbmx1d2tyOXlxdXhxcHkifQ.cD-q14aQKbS6gjG2WO-4nw'; bbgConfig.template_directory_uri = 'https://www.usagm.gov/wp-content/themes/bbgRedesign/'; // SET COOKIES FOR SITEWIDE ALERT AND SPLASH OVERLAY function setCookie(cname, cvalue, exdays) { var d = new Date(); d.setTime(d.getTime() + (exdays*24*60*60*1000)); var expires = "expires= " + d.toUTCString(); document.cookie = cname + " = " + cvalue + "; " + expires; } </script>    <script src="https://www.usagm.gov/wp-content/themes/bbgRedesign/js/vendor/picturefill.min.js"></script>       <link rel="shortcut icon" type="image/ico" href="https://www.usagm.gov/wp-content/themes/bbgRedesign/img/favicons/favicon.ico" /> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" href="https://www.usagm.gov/wp-content/themes/bbgRedesign/img/favicons/favicon.png" />  <link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="192x192" href="https://www.usagm.gov/wp-content/themes/bbgRedesign/img/favicons/favicon-192.png" />  <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" href="https://www.usagm.gov/wp-content/themes/bbgRedesign/img/favicons/favicon-57.png">  <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" sizes="72x72" href="https://www.usagm.gov/wp-content/themes/bbgRedesign/img/favicons/favicon-72.png">  <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" sizes="114x114" href="https://www.usagm.gov/wp-content/themes/bbgRedesign/img/favicons/favicon-114.png">  <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" sizes="144x144" href="https://www.usagm.gov/wp-content/themes/bbgRedesign/img/favicons/favicon-144.png">  <script async src="https://dap.digitalgov.gov/Universal-Federated-Analytics-Min.js?agency=BBG&pua=ua-33523145-2" id="_fed_an_ua_tag" ></script> <link href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Alegreya+Sans:300,300i,400,400i,500,700,700i" rel="stylesheet">  <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=UA-124338348-1"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'UA-124338348-1'); </script> </head> <body class="page-template page-template-page-2-column page-template-page-2-column-php page page-id-2597 page-parent group-blog"> <script type="text/javascript"> (function(a,b,c,d){ a='//tags.tiqcdn.com/utag/bbg/main/prod/utag.js'; b=document;c='script';d=b.createElement(c);d.src=a;d.type='text/java'+c;d.async=true; a=b.getElementsByTagName(c)[0];a.parentNode.insertBefore(d,a); })(); </script> <h1 class="header-outliner">United States Agency for Global Media</h1> <div id="page" class="site main-content" role="main"> <a class="skipnav skip-link screen-reader-text" href="#content">Skip to content</a> <header id="masthead" class="site-header bbg-header" role="banner">  <div class="usa-disclaimer"> <div class="usa-grid"> <span class="usa-disclaimer-official"> <div class="usa-disclaimer__header"> <div class="usa-disclaimer__flag"> <img class="usa-flag_icon" alt="U.S. flag signifying that this is a United States federal government website" src="https://www.usagm.gov/wp-content/themes/bbgRedesign/img/us_flag_small.png"> </div> <div class="usa-disclaimer__text"> An official website of <span class="u--no-wrap">the United States government</span> </div> <button class="usa-disclaimer__button rotated" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="gov-banner"> <span class="usa-disclaimer__button--text">Here鈥檚 how you know</span> </button> </div> </span> </div> <div class="usa-banner__content outer-container"> <div class="usa-banner__guidance grid-half"> <img class="usa-banner__icon usa-media-block__img" src="https://www.usagm.gov/wp-content/themes/bbgRedesign/img/icon-dot-gov.svg" role="img" alt="Dot gov"> <div class="usa-media-block__body"> <p> <strong>Official websites use .gov</strong> <br /> A <strong>.gov</strong> website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. </p> </div> </div> <div class="usa-banner__guidance grid-half"> <img class="usa-banner__icon usa-media-block__img" src="https://www.usagm.gov/wp-content/themes/bbgRedesign/img/icon-https.svg" role="img" alt="Https"> <div class="usa-media-block__body"> <p> <strong>Secure .gov websites use HTTPS</strong> <br /> A <strong>lock</strong> ( <span class="icon-lock"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="52" height="64" viewBox="0 0 52 64" class="usa-banner__lock-image" role="img" aria-labelledby="banner-lock-title banner-lock-description"> <title id="banner-lock-title">Lock</title> <desc id="banner-lock-description">A locked padlock</desc> <path fill="#000000" fill-rule="evenodd" d="M26 0c10.493 0 19 8.507 19 19v9h3a4 4 0 0 1 4 4v28a4 4 0 0 1-4 4H4a4 4 0 0 1-4-4V32a4 4 0 0 1 4-4h3v-9C7 8.507 15.507 0 26 0zm0 8c-5.979 0-10.843 4.77-10.996 10.712L15 19v9h22v-9c0-6.075-4.925-11-11-11z" /> </svg> </span> ) or <strong>https://</strong> means you鈥檝e safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. </p> </div> </div> </div> </div>  <button id="bbg__menu-toggle" class="menu-toggle" aria-controls="primary-menu" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="menu-toggle-label"> Menu </span> </button>  <nav id="site-navigation" class="bbg__main-navigation" role="navigation"> <h1 class="header-outliner">Navigation</h1> <a id="nav-logo" class="site-brand" href="https://www.usagm.gov"><img src="https://www.usagm.gov/wp-content/themes/bbgRedesign/img/USAGM-Logo.png" alt="USAGM Logo"></a> <div class="menu-usagm-container"><ul id="primary-menu" class="menu"><li id="menu-item-41839" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-41839"><a href="https://www.usagm.gov/who-we-are/" class="bbg__top-nav__link-text">Who we are</a> <ul class="sub-menu"> <li id="menu-item-41840" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-41840"><a href="https://www.usagm.gov/who-we-are/mission/" class="bbg__top-nav__link-text">Mission</a></li> <li id="menu-item-41841" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-41841"><a href="https://www.usagm.gov/who-we-are/history/" class="bbg__top-nav__link-text">History</a></li> <li id="menu-item-43370" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-43370"><a href="https://www.usagm.gov/who-we-are/organizational-chart/" class="bbg__top-nav__link-text">Structure</a></li> <li id="menu-item-56233" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-56233"><a href="https://www.usagm.gov/who-we-are/ceo-and-entity-leadership/" class="bbg__top-nav__link-text">CEO and Entity Leadership</a></li> <li id="menu-item-55664" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-55664"><a href="https://www.usagm.gov/who-we-are/the-international-broadcasting-advisory-board/" class="bbg__top-nav__link-text">International Broadcasting Advisory Board</a></li> <li id="menu-item-42802" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-42802"><a href="/who-we-are/oversight/" class="bbg__top-nav__link-text">Oversight and Legislation</a></li> <li id="menu-item-53209" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-53209"><a href="https://www.usagm.gov/who-we-are/firewall/" class="bbg__top-nav__link-text">Firewall</a></li> </ul> </li> <li id="menu-item-41895" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-41895"><a href="https://www.usagm.gov/our-work/" class="bbg__top-nav__link-text">Our Work</a> <ul class="sub-menu"> <li id="menu-item-41896" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-41896"><a href="https://www.usagm.gov/our-work/strategy-and-results/" class="bbg__top-nav__link-text">Strategy and Results</a></li> <li id="menu-item-41897" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-41897"><a href="https://www.usagm.gov/our-work/transmissions-and-broadcasting/" class="bbg__top-nav__link-text">Transmissions and Broadcasting</a></li> <li id="menu-item-50811" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-50811"><a href="https://www.usagm.gov/office-internet-freedom/" class="bbg__top-nav__link-text">Internet Freedom</a></li> <li id="menu-item-42896" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-42896"><a href="/our-work/media-development/" class="bbg__top-nav__link-text">Media Development</a></li> <li id="menu-item-47649" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-47649"><a href="https://www.usagm.gov/awards/" class="bbg__top-nav__link-text">Award-winning Work</a></li> </ul> </li> <li id="menu-item-41899" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-41899"><a href="https://www.usagm.gov/networks/" class="bbg__top-nav__link-text">Entities</a> <ul class="sub-menu"> <li id="menu-item-41900" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-41900"><a href="https://www.usagm.gov/networks/voa/" class="bbg__top-nav__link-text">VOA</a></li> <li id="menu-item-41901" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-41901"><a href="https://www.usagm.gov/networks/rferl/" class="bbg__top-nav__link-text">RFERL</a></li> <li id="menu-item-41902" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-41902"><a href="https://www.usagm.gov/networks/ocb/" class="bbg__top-nav__link-text">OCB</a></li> <li id="menu-item-42295" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-42295"><a href="https://www.usagm.gov/networks/rfa/" class="bbg__top-nav__link-text">RFA</a></li> <li id="menu-item-42296" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-42296"><a href="https://www.usagm.gov/networks/mbn/" class="bbg__top-nav__link-text">MBN</a></li> <li id="menu-item-51614" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-51614"><a href="https://www.usagm.gov/networks/otf/" class="bbg__top-nav__link-text">OTF</a></li> </ul> </li> <li id="menu-item-41903" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-41903"><a href="https://www.usagm.gov/news-and-information/" class="bbg__top-nav__link-text">News</a> <ul class="sub-menu"> <li id="menu-item-41846" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-41846"><a href="https://www.usagm.gov/news-and-information/press-releases/" class="bbg__top-nav__link-text">Press Releases</a></li> <li id="menu-item-42823" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-42823"><a href="https://www.usagm.gov/news-and-information/events/" class="bbg__top-nav__link-text">Events</a></li> <li id="menu-item-42822" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-42822"><a href="https://www.usagm.gov/news-and-information/threats-to-press/" class="bbg__top-nav__link-text">Threats to Press</a></li> <li id="menu-item-42815" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-42815"><a href="https://www.usagm.gov/news-and-information/press-room/" class="bbg__top-nav__link-text">Press Room</a></li> <li id="menu-item-42774" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-42774"><a href="https://www.usagm.gov/our-work/strategy-and-results/strategic-priorities/research-reports/" class="bbg__top-nav__link-text">Research and Reports</a></li> </ul> </li> <li id="menu-item-41851" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-41851"><a href="https://www.usagm.gov/work-with-us/" class="bbg__top-nav__link-text">Work with Us</a> <ul class="sub-menu"> <li id="menu-item-42749" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-42749"><a href="https://www.usagm.gov/work-with-us/contract-opportunities/" class="bbg__top-nav__link-text">Contract Opportunities</a></li> <li id="menu-item-41854" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-41854"><a href="https://www.usagm.gov/work-with-us/become-an-affiliate/" class="bbg__top-nav__link-text">Become an Affiliate</a></li> <li id="menu-item-57004" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-57004"><a href="https://www.usagm.gov/work-with-us/equal-employment/" class="bbg__top-nav__link-text">EEO</a></li> <li id="menu-item-41849" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-41849"><a href="https://www.usagm.gov/work-with-us/careers/" class="bbg__top-nav__link-text">Careers</a></li> <li id="menu-item-41852" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-41852"><a href="https://www.usagm.gov/work-with-us/usagm-intern-and-student-programs/" class="bbg__top-nav__link-text">Internships</a></li> </ul> </li> </ul><div class="bbg__main-navigation__search"><form id="top-nav-search-form" class="usa-search usa-search-small" action="https://www.usagm.gov"><button type="submit" id="nav-search-bu"><span class="usa-sr-only">Search</span></button><label class="usa-sr-only" for="search-field-small">Search small</label><input class="mag-search" id="search-field-small" type="search" name="s" placeholder="Search ..."></form></div><div class="social-header"><ul class="unstyled-list"><li id="facebook-social"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/USAGMgov/" target="_blank"><i class="fa-brands fa-square-facebook"></i></a></li><li id="twitter-social"><a href="https://twitter.com/USAGMgov" target="_blank"><i class="fa-brands fa-square-x-twitter"></i></a></li><li id="youtube-social"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvYge67D7cpRJ6aYn2E9pPw" target="_blank"><i class="fa-brands fa-youtube"></i></a></li><li id="linkedin-social"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/united-states-agency-for-global-media/" target="_blank"><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin"></i></a></li><li id="instagram-social"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/usagmgov/" target="_blank"><i class="fa-brands fa-square-instagram"></i></a></li><li id="contact-us"><a href="/contact-us"><i class="fa fa-contact-card"></i></a></li></ul></div></div> </nav> </header> <main id="main" role="main"> <div class="outer-container"> <div class="grid-container"> <h2 class="section-header">Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)</h2> </div> <div class="grid-container sidebar-grid--large-gutter"> <div class="nest-container"> <div class="inner-container"> <div class="main-column"> <div class="page-content"><p><p>The FOIA became effective in 1967, and its purpose was to provide a statutory basis for public access to official agency information previously restricted from public view.</p> <p>Through the FOIA, Congress made it clear that the public has the right to know what its government is doing, for an informed public is vital to democracy.</p> <p>Under the FOIA, official information is available to any person without regard to need for or interest in the material.聽 The Agency and its FOIA professionals are committed to ensuring the fullest possible disclosure of records consistent with the letter and spirit of the law.</p> <p>At USAGM, Freedom of Information/Privacy Act (FOIA/PA) requests are processed by the FOIA Office, which is located within the Office of the General Counsel.聽 The FOIA Office handles all incoming Agency requests under the overall direction of the Agency鈥檚 Chief FOIA Officer (currently the General Counsel) and management of the Agency鈥檚 FOIA Officer (currently the Assistant General Counsel for Ethics and Compliance).聽 Typical requests received by the Agency seek records related to procurement actions, lists of credit card purchase holders, audience survey reports, and individual personnel and/or security files.</p> </p></div> </div> <div class="side-column divider-left"> <aside><h3 class="sidebar-section-header"><a title="FOIA Reports" href="/foia/foia-reports/">FOIA Reports</a></h3> <p class="sans">The Department of Justice requires Federal agencies to provide the public with quarterly and annual reports concerning the management and operation of their FOIA programs.聽 The Agency鈥檚 reports can be accessed on its <a href="/about-the-agency/research-reports/foia-reports/">FOIA Reports page</a>.</p> <h3 class="sidebar-section-header"><a href="/foia/electronic-reading-room/">Electronic Reading Room</a></h3> <p class="sans">The FOIA requires agencies to proactively disclose certain categories of records to the public via electronic means.聽 Records that the Agency has previously released to the public under the FOIA and which are or will likely become the subject of subsequent requests will be proactively disclosed in the agency鈥檚 Electronic Reading Room for public access.聽 Additionally, records that the agency determines are of sufficient public interest to warrant automatic disclosure will also be proactively disclosed in the <a href="/foia/electronic-reading-room/">Electronic Reading Room</a>.</p> <h3 class="sidebar-section-header">FOIA Requests</h3> <p class="sans">All members of the FOIA Office currently are working remotely due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.聽 For this reason, if you would like to file a request for Agency information under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) or a FOIA Appeal, or need to contact us about the status of a pending request or appeal, please do so electronically via email at聽<a href="mailto:foia@usagm.gov" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable">foia@usagm.gov</a>.</p> <p class="sans">Once members of the FOIA Office return to our worksite, we will resume accepting FOIA requests and appeals sent to our mailing address and faxed to the Agency.</p> <p class="sans">You also may contact USAGM鈥檚 FOIA Liaison, Stephen McGinley, with questions about pending FOIA matters at <a title="mailto:smcginley@usagm.gov" contenteditable="false" href="mailto:smcginley@usagm.gov">smcginley@usagm.gov</a>聽or 202-920-2366.</p> </aside> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </main> <div id="redirect__overlay" style="display: none;"> <div id="redirect__dialog"> <div id="redirect__dialog--close"></div> <h2>Confirm External Link</h2> <p> Are you sure you want to navigate to this external domain? <div id="redirect__link"></div> </p> <button id="redirect__button--cancel" type="button">Cancel</button> <button id="redirect__button--confirm" type="button">Continue</button> </div> </div> <footer id="footer"> <div class="outer-container"> <div id="grid-container"> <a class="site-brand" href="https://www.usagm.gov"> <img src="https://www.usagm.gov/wp-content/themes/bbgRedesign/img/USAGM-Logo-white.png"> </a> </div> </div> <div class="outer-container"> <div class="grid-container"> <a class="footer-link" href="/about-the-agency/research-reports/foia/">FOIA</a><a class="footer-link" href="https://www.stateoig.gov/hotline" target="_blank">IG Hotline</a><a class="footer-link" href="/privacy-policy">Privacy Policy</a><a class="footer-link" href="http://www.usa.gov/" target="_blank">USA.gov</a><a class="footer-link" href="/strategy-and-performance/research-reports/open-government/">Open Gov</a><a class="footer-link" href="/accessibility/">Accessibility </a><a class="footer-link" href="/vulnerability-disclosure-policy">Vulnerability Disclosure Policy</a><a class="footer-link" href="/artificial-intelligence/">Artificial Intelligence</a><a class="footer-link" href="/employee-resources-and-guidelines/">Employee Resources and Guidelines</a><a class="footer-link" href="/contact-us/">Contact Us</a> </div> </div> </footer> </div> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.usagm.gov/wp-content/plugins/animate-it/assets/js/animo.min.js?ver=1.0.3" id="edsanimate-animo-script-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.usagm.gov/wp-content/plugins/animate-it/assets/js/jquery.ba-throttle-debounce.min.js?ver=1.1" id="edsanimate-throttle-debounce-script-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.usagm.gov/wp-content/plugins/animate-it/assets/js/viewportchecker.js?ver=1.4.4" id="viewportcheck-script-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.usagm.gov/wp-content/plugins/animate-it/assets/js/edsanimate.js?ver=1.4.4" id="edsanimate-script-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="edsanimate-site-script-js-extra"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var edsanimate_options = {"offset":"75","hide_hz_scrollbar":"1","hide_vl_scrollbar":"0"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.usagm.gov/wp-content/plugins/animate-it/assets/js/edsanimate.site.js?ver=1.4.5" id="edsanimate-site-script-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.usagm.gov/wp-includes/js/dist/hooks.min.js?ver=2810c76e705dd1a53b18" id="wp-hooks-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.usagm.gov/wp-includes/js/dist/i18n.min.js?ver=5e580eb46a90c2b997e6" id="wp-i18n-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="wp-i18n-js-after"> /* <![CDATA[ */ wp.i18n.setLocaleData( { 'text direction\u0004ltr': [ 'ltr' ] } ); /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.usagm.gov/wp-content/plugins/contact-form-7/includes/swv/js/index.js?ver=5.9.8" id="swv-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="contact-form-7-js-extra"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var wpcf7 = {"api":{"root":"https:\/\/www.usagm.gov\/wp-json\/","namespace":"contact-form-7\/v1"},"cached":"1"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.usagm.gov/wp-content/plugins/contact-form-7/includes/js/index.js?ver=5.9.8" id="contact-form-7-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.usagm.gov/wp-content/themes/bbgRedesign/js/navigation.js?ver=20120206" id="bbginnovate-navigation-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.usagm.gov/wp-content/themes/bbgRedesign/js/usagm-main.js?ver=20151215" id="usagm-main-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.usagm.gov/wp-content/themes/bbgRedesign/js/usagm-splash.js?ver=false" id="usagm-splash-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.usagm.gov/wp-content/themes/bbgRedesign/js/skip-link-focus-fix.js?ver=20130115" id="bbginnovate-skip-link-focus-fix-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.usagm.gov/wp-content/themes/bbgRedesign/js/bbgredesign.js?ver=20160223" id="bbginnovate-bbgredesign-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="biz-opps-js-extra"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var ajax_object = {"ajax_url":"https:\/\/www.usagm.gov\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.usagm.gov/wp-content/themes/bbgRedesign/js/biz-opps.js?ver=20220127" id="biz-opps-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.usagm.gov/wp-content/themes/bbgRedesign/js/components/accordion.js?ver=20160223" id="bbginnovate-accordion-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.usagm.gov/wp-content/themes/bbgRedesign/js/18f.js?ver=20160223" id="bbginnovate-18f-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.usagm.gov/wp-content/themes/bbgRedesign/js/bbginnovate.js?ver=20160223" id="bbginnovate-bbginnovate-js"></script> </body> </html>