White House: Agencies respond to 56 percent of FOIA requests

President Obama vowed to create an \"unprecedented level of openness\" in his administration. Two and half years later, the White House reports agencies have sh...

By Jolie Lee
Federal News Radio

President Obama vowed to create an “unprecedented level of openness” in his administration. Two and half years later, the White House reports agencies have shown “measurable progress” in open gov initiatives.

In a status report posted on WhiteHouse.gov, the administration said what’s helped drive openness are agencies’ open gov plans, the use of technology and putting more energy into responding to Freedom of Information Act requests.

In a 2009 memo, the President directed agencies to make information available rather than wait for requests. Where uncertainty existed, “openness prevails,” according to the report.

From Oct. 2009 to Sept. 2010, agencies’ FOIA requests increased. Agencies responded to 56 percent of requests, the report said.

When requests fell under FOIA exemptions, the administration has urged agencies to make partial disclosures. With these partial disclosures included, agencies responded to 93 to 94 percent of FOIA requests.

“In other words, only 6-7% of processed cases did agencies not disclose any requested information, due to the operation of one or more FOIA exemptions,” the report said.

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