The FBI is planning to take a big step backward for government transparency. As of March 1, the agency will no longer accept Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests via email. Anyone seeking public records from the bureau will have to use a new online portal — or send requests via fax or snail mail.
Online FOIA portals may seem like a good idea in theory, but in reality, government agencies make them difficult and cumbersome to use and they include unnecessary hurdles.
The Freedom of Information Act gives us a legal right to request public records, which allow journalists and watchdogs to hold the government accountable.
Sign the online petition, and tell the FBI to keep its FOIA email up and running and to drop the arbitrary restrictions.