Definitions for "Freedom of Information Act"
a law that gives the public the right to obtain more information from agencies of the federal government. The ACLU's FOIA guide
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Chief Information Officer, all federal agencies are required under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to disclose records requested in writing by any person. The FOIA applies only to federal agencies and does not create a right of access to records held by Congress, the courts, or by state or local government agencies. Each state has its own public access laws that should be consulted for access to state and local records.
FOIA The FOIA, enacted in 1966, generally provides that any person has a right of access to federal agency records. This right of access is enforceable in court except for those records that are protected from disclosure by the nine exemptions to the FOIA, which are discussed in the text.