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Recent Reports

June 11 - Conference Klatch
June 3 - Banking on Connections
May 18 - Bank Lobbyists Far Outnumber Reformers
More - See More Government Reform Reports

FOIA and Government Transparency

Recognizing that meaningful citizen participation depends on the public’s ability to access information, Public Citizen Litigation Group has since its inception been devoted to fighting government secrecy. We have represented a wide variety of public interest organizations, journalists, academics, and other individuals seeking to obtain information under the Freedom of Information Act and other open government laws. We also provide extensive resources for using the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), available through the links below. In addition, to assist and represent community groups and non-profit organizations seeking government-held records for advocacy, research, or community service, the Litigation Group hosts a Public Interest FOIA Clinic.

Check out the open government resources below and our FOIA cases, or access our Clinic. 

 The Freedom of Information Clearinghouse is a project of Public Citizen Litigation Group, and is funded in part by a grant from the Center for the Study of Responsive Law. We provide resources for those seeking access to information held by government agencies. Our resources fall into two broad categories: 

   Filing a Foia request

How to File a FOIA Request: A Guide

Search our Agency Database for agency-by-agency information

Read about Requesting Records from State Governments

    Resources for Legal Research on FOIA

Get the statutory text of FOIA

Learn about PCLG's open government litigation

Statutes, regulations, guidances, and other materials  

    Listen In!

Staff Attorney Adina Rosenbaum's testimony before congress          

Staff Attorney Adina Rosenbaum's talk about why FOIA is vital to our democracy (mp3)

      How to Request Legal Assistance

If you are requesting assistance as an individual, media member, or on behalf of a for-profit organization, please direct your request, in writing, to the Clearinghouse:

        Freedom of Information Clearinghouse
        Public Citizen Litigation Group
        1600 20th Street NW
        Washington, DC 20009

If you are requesting assistance on behalf of a non-profit organization, please direct your request through the Public Interest FOIA Clinic.

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Public Citizen, Inc. and Public Citizen Foundation

 

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Although the work of the two components overlaps, some activities are done by one component and not the other. The primary distinction is with respect to lobbying activity. Public Citizen, Inc., an IRS § 501(c)(4) entity, lobbies Congress to advance Public Citizen’s mission of protecting public health and safety, advancing government transparency, and urging corporate accountability. Public Citizen Foundation, however, is an IRS § 501(c)(3) organization. Accordingly, its ability to engage in lobbying is limited by federal law, but it may receive donations that are tax-deductible by the contributor. Public Citizen Inc. does most of the lobbying activity discussed on the Public Citizen Web site. Public Citizen Foundation performs most of the litigation and education activities discussed on the Web site.

You may make a contribution to Public Citizen, Inc., Public Citizen Foundation, or both. Contributions to both organizations are used to support our public interest work. However, each Public Citizen component will use only the funds contributed directly to it to carry out the activities it conducts as part of Public Citizen’s mission. Only gifts to the Foundation are tax-deductible. Individuals who want to join Public Citizen should make a contribution to Public Citizen, Inc., which will not be tax deductible.

 

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