UNDERNEWS: Most freedom of information law suits in over a decade

December 24, 2014

Most freedom of information law suits in over a decade

More freedom of information lawsuits were brought against the federal government in fiscal year 2014 than in any year since at least 2001, according to a new analysis of court records by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse. 

A total of 422 Freedom of Information Act suits were filed in federal district court last year compared with 372 in FY 2013 and 387 in FY 2005, the next highest year since 2001.

The Justice Department and its suborganizations were the most frequently sued federal entities in 2014, while the conservative research organization Judicial Watch brought the most suits. In fact, Judicial Watch filed more lawsuits last year than every news organization combined. 

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ABOUT THE EDITOR

The Review is edited by Sam Smith, who covered Washington under nine presidents, has edited the Progressive Review and its predecessors since 1964, wrote four books, been published in five anthologies, helped to start five organizations (including the DC Humanities Council and the DC Statehood Party), was a plaintiff in three successful class action suits, served as a Coast Guard officer, and played in jazz bands for four decades.

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Sam's a cynical cat -- Marion Barry

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