Freedom of Information Day is observed on March 16th, the birthday of James Madison, who was a strong advocate for transparency in government and is widely regarded as the “Father of the Constitution.” This annual observance celebrates the public’s right to know and access information held by government agencies.
Public employees who handle records requests play an important role in fulfilling the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and New York’s Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). The NYC Department of Records and Information Services (DORIS) serves as an important resource for city agencies and the public. DORIS oversees the Municipal Archives and Library, preserving and providing access to millions of historical city documents while helping agencies meet their legal obligations for records retention and public access.
New York’s Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) establishes specific procedures and timeframes for agency responses to records requests. Agencies must respond within five business days by either granting access to the requested records, denying the request in writing, or providing a written acknowledgment that includes an estimated date for a determination. FOIL was amended in 2005 to prohibit unnecessary delays while recognizing that reasonable response times may vary depending on the complexity and volume of a request.
Please visit here for additional information about FOIL requirements and procedures.
Freedom of Information Day serves as a reminder of the importance of governmental transparency and information access. For those interested in learning more about FOIA processes, please visit the American Library Association’s page about Freedom of Information Day.
