2.4: FOIA Disputes
Mediate FOIA disputes. Other Information:
The Department provides tens of thousands of requesters with the information they request every year. At the same time, many
requests are denied in full, and those denials are upheld on appeal – putting requesters in the position of walking away or
filing an action in federal court to obtain a judicial determination of whether the information should be released. This litigation
can be costly for both the requester and the government, and when a dispute can be resolved more efficiently without a lawsuit,
the Department should welcome that opportunity. When the Department upholds the denial of a FOIA request on appeal, it will
advise the requester of the availability of mediation services through the Office of Government Information Services. Mediation
has the potential to bridge unnecessary differences, and requesters ought to be made aware of its availability.
Indicator(s):
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