what was the freedom of information act?
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The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)\n\nThe U.S. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a law ensuring public access to U.S. government records. FOIA carries a presumption of disclosure; the burden is on the government - not the public - to substantiate why information may not be released. Upon written request, agencies of the United States government are required to disclose those records, unless they can be lawfully withheld from disclosure under one of nine specific exemptions in the FOIA. This right of access is ultimately enforceable in federal court.
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http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=Legislation+on+privacy+issues&btnG=Google+Search&meta=
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To alert people and society about the possible dangers of allowing government too much control and monitoring over citizens.  Orwell would be turning over in his grave today if he could see what is happening.  Current events in the USA echo many of the themes that Orwell wrote about, such as the so-called 'Patriot Act'.  The 'Patriot Act' authorizes a huge range of previously illegal monitoring of U.S. citizens, wiretaps without approval, gag orders and other forms of oppression.  How ironic that we talk so much of freedom but are systematically stripping away those very freedoms.
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Yes. I'm very upset at how the Bush administration has perverted the English language. "Patriot Act" takes away civil liberties. "Clean Water Act" allows companies to dump as much crud as they please in the water, and so on. \n\nThe Patriot Act allows the government to know which books you take out of the library. It denies the library the power to tell YOU that they they've been forced to tell the government which books you've checked out. \n\nStand up for your rights, kids. Once they're gone, they're gone.\n\n(And in response to another answer on this page: you don't have to wait until someone files a suit against a stupid law to know that it's wrong).
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The first amendment says freedom of speech.\nThe Patriot Act allows the government to spy on you and arrest you if you "say" you're planning terrorism.\n\nThat's one link.
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Couldnt find a quick summary, but the link below is the text of the act as it was written. Perhaps that will help.
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'Information' is knowledge about something, especially facts and news.
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The FBI had a sealed file on John Lennon that file is the center of the longest-running Freedom of Information request ever made. The Freedom of Information Act stipulates the government must respond within 60 days. The Lennon files request has been ongoing for over 20 years by a Berkley professor. The government will NOT, for whatever reason, open the John Lennon file.
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There is a site called: Information please \n\nJust type:\n\nInformation please 1993\n\nand you can read all the important things that happened that particular year.
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First of all, check the website of your home town.  They might be available for free online.  Second, the Freedom of Information Act applies to the federal government.  Third, even if it did apply, you still have to pay for the copying.  Fourth, your state may have its own equivalent law and you still would have to pay for a copy.  Fifth, you can probably look up the local ordinances for free at the local law library.
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Over sixty one countries around the world have implemented some form of freedom of information legislation, which sets rules on governmental secrecy. Many more countries are working towards introducing such laws, and many regions of countries with national legislation have local laws - for example, all states of the US have access laws as well as the national legislation. In general, such laws define a legal process by which government information is available to the public; in some countries, they may only apply to journalists, or to people with a legal need for the information. In many countries there are vague constitutional guarantees for the right of access to information, but usually these are unused unless specific legislation exists to support them.\n\nThese laws may also be described as open records or (especially in the United States) sunshine laws (alluding to "letting light shine" on the process). A related concept is open meetings legislation, which allows the public access to government meetings, not just to the records of them. In many countries, privacy or data protection laws may be part of the freedom of information legislation; the concepts are often closely tied together in political discourse.\n\nA basic principle behind most freedom of information legislation is that the burden of proof falls on the body asked for information, not the person asking for it. The requester does not usually have to give an explanation for their request, but if the information is not disclosed a valid reason has to be given.
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the constitution. the constitution is a contract that describes the restrictions on politicians' powers, thats why they had to sign it. the patriot act is a strategic guideline against terrirism. its also an act of treason in the context of the constitution.
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information that is accessable by the public
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try here\nhttp://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0774536.html
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The Data Protection Act 1998 in the UK has caused much confusion.  The sites below discuss the act and how it works.
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Clearly liberty.  By placing limits on government power, individuals are given liberty of thought, speech and action.
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Think this is the Data Protection act 1998 and it states that you should not hold information on others any longer than is required for the purpose it was gathered. The information you hold should only be used for the purpose specified, so you cant release it to any third party without the persons consent or use it for any other reason.\n\nHave a look at this site http://www.businesslink.gov.uk. There is some info on it about the DP Act