Beschreibung:
Whatever you're trying to learn about the world—as a journalist or as an informed citizen— public records often hold the key. But what records, where? And how to get them? It starts with understanding the Freedom of Information Act, but what you really need are strategies for dealing with the officials who stand between you and the information you seek. Gaining access to records is an art, one that requires an organized approach and a good understanding of human behavior.
Whatever you're trying to learn about the world—as a journalist or as an informed citizen— public records often hold the key. But what records, where? And how to get them? It starts with understanding the Freedom of Information Act, but what you really need are strategies for dealing with the officials who stand between you and the information you seek. Gaining access to records is an art, one that requires an organized approach and a good understanding of human behavior.
Foreword by Tom Blanton, National Security Archive
1. Records that matter: Improve your community, career and life
2. Develop a document state of mind
3. Become an access law expert
4. The hunt: Find records in the dark
5. Strategies for effective requests
6. How to overcome denials
7. Going digital: Strategies for getting data
8. Understand how public officials think
9. Putting it together: Writing the FOI story and FOI ethics
Appendix A. The Record Album
Appendix B. FOI resources
Notes
Index