Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Motives for FOIA requests

What motivates FOIA inquiries?  Some requests seek to measure efficiency or integrity in government functions without regard to policy or politics.

Others are made to embarrass political enemies or challenge political ideology.

Another motive is to harass, antagonize or provoke a government official or group based on personal hostility without regard to politics, like a child teasing a chained dog.

Or it could be the desire to formulate, assess or promote policy.

It might be no more than to test the willingness of officials to comply with the statute. 

Are there any more?

It would help to be conscious of these distinctions when crafting FOIA legislation, FOIA appeals reform for example.

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