Strategy: At the heart of investigative reporting is the public's right to information and protection of First Amendment freedoms. Know how to use FOI laws and how to get help when government officials throw roadblocks in your path.
For help on FOI use and filing a request, check out IRE Tip Sheet #1852
from James Grimaldi.
Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
http://rcfp.org
A nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free legal assistance to journalists since 1970. Besides including a wealth of resources, the site allows you to send e-mail for specific help or questions you need answered. Also, the "Tapping Officials' Secret" at http://www.rcfp.org/cgi-local/tapping/index.cgi page has searchable information on all 50 states open records and open meetings laws.Investigative Reporters and Editors FOI Web site
http://www.ire.org/foi/
Besides links to useful FOI resources, the IRE site includes columns on FOI use from The IRE Journal and links for IRE members to tipsheets on using open records and open meetings laws.Society of Professional Journalists FOI Web site
http://www.spj.org/foia.asp
SPJ runs its "Open Doors" Web site with everything from an FOI basic Q&A to a full list of resources. Also has an active discussion list on many FOI subjects.Freedom of Information Center
http://www.missouri.edu/%7Efoiwww/
This comprehensive site includes sample letters, a guide to international FOI laws, a list of other FOI links and whistleblower information.Citizen Access Project
http://www.citizenaccess.org
A comprehensive FOIA site maintained at the University of Florida by Bill Chamberlin. While much of it is oriented toward Florida, the site includes a very useful explanation of the 50 state open records laws, including a rating of how each state law works.Student Press Law Center
http://www.splc.org/foiletter.asp
Good site when filing FOI letters to states other than your own because of help with the language in each state's law.Department of Justice FOI Guide
http://www.usdoj.gov/oip/foi-act.htm
Site includes a walk through the federal Freedom of Information Act with links to the FOI officers at federal agencies and the annual FOI reports.Freedom Forum First Amendment Center
http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org
Run by The Freedom Forum, this site keeps current with FOIA news and analysis. It offers an experts list to contact and curriculum ideas for those teaching FOIA topics.IRE's Beat Source Guide offers more FOI resources.