FOIA’s current impact on government democracy is increasingly questioned.
Evidence
Aggressive use of FOIA—repeated requests for vast swaths of information—adds to administrative costs and gums up the operations of the state, taking resources away from regulatory activity. … At the broadest level, it seems likely that Americans’ ability to FOIA the state but not the private sector contributes to a general public impression of relative state incompetence and corruption. — David E Pozen; Michael Schudson, Troubling Transparency- The History and…, 78 (
#expands, via linked claim)
Categorization
- XREF: connects to: FOIA’s future may require shrinking its operational framework. — David E Pozen; Michael Schudson, Troubling Transparency- The History and…, 389; FOIA’s limitations challenge the assumption it can provide constitutional-like rights. — David E Pozen; Michael Schudson, Troubling Transparency- The History and…, 304; Recent judicial decisions enable broader application of FOIA exemptions. (+13 more)
Related
- FOIA may harm the regulatory state by increasing administrative costs. (similarity 0.92)
- FOIA can contribute to public perceptions of government incompetence. (similarity 0.88)
- FOIA’s limitations challenge the assumption it can provide constitutional-like rights. (similarity 0.86)
- FOIA’s future may require shrinking its operational framework. (similarity 0.86)
- FOI requests have led to significant government action. (similarity 0.86)
- FOIA’s status affects its effectiveness in promoting transparency. (similarity 0.86)
- Taking transparency in government is crucial for democracy. (similarity 0.85)
- FOIA undermines regulatory capacity by shifting resources. (similarity 0.85)
- Monitory democracy includes ongoing scrutiny of government activity. (similarity 0.84)
- FOIA requires administrative capacity to hold government accountable. (similarity 0.82)
- Transparency is viewed as a secondary value despite FOIA’s existence. (similarity 0.82)
- FOIA’s ideal of transparency has practical implications for government. (similarity 0.81)
- FOIA remains essential for ensuring access to data until open data policies are established. (similarity 0.80)
- The percentage of FOIA requests denied has significantly increased over time. (similarity 0.79)
- FOIA’s effectiveness diminishes due to inefficient request processes. (similarity 0.79)
Library Connections
- Monitory democracy includes ongoing scrutiny of government activity.
#complicates(0.60) — David E Pozen; Michael Schudson, Troubling Transparency- The History and…, 820
Broader Connections
- FOIA may harm the regulatory state by increasing administrative costs.
#expands(0.80) — David E Pozen; Michael Schudson, Troubling Transparency- The History and…, 78 - FOIA undermines regulatory capacity by shifting resources.
#expands(0.80) - FOIA requires administrative capacity to hold government accountable.
#qualifies(0.70) - Public interest balancing could enhance FOIA’s effectiveness.
#responds-to(0.70) — David E Pozen; Michael Schudson, Troubling Transparency- The History and…, 1145