NCJ Number
169210
Journal
Social Justice Volume: 22 Issue: 2 Dated: (Summer 1995) Pages: 49-66
Date Published
1995
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This article examines the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) before and during the Clinton administration.
Abstract
As a public policy concept, freedom of information means access to government information without undue government restrictions. The basis for the FOIA lies deep in the democratic belief that an informed public is a safeguard against government abuse of power. In the 30 years of the Federal FOIA, Republican leaders in the White House have openly attempted to control and constrict the flow of information to a greater extent than have Democrats, who have at least professed a commitment to improving public access to government records. The FOIA legacy of the Clinton era has yet to be determined. So far, the active support from Attorney General Reno and other administrators looks to be Clinton's greatest achievement in this area, although their work will likely go unnoticed and unrewarded. President Clinton has severe constraints on his ability to lead. He is now working with a Republican-dominated legislature and is further handicapped by his habit of "waffling" on a host of issues, FOIA being one of them. President Reagan held a firm line on the FOIA; he did not like it. President Clinton contradicted his public professions of openness with White House secretiveness. His latest Executive Order pertinent to freedom of information, issued on April 17, 1995, takes a public position that an informed public and press are safeguards for democracy. Whether or not this is consistently practiced by the Clinton administration in politically stressful times, it will be the official position of this presidency. 42 references