This course is designed for student journalists.
FOIA is an acronym that stands for Freedom of Information Act, which is a federal law guaranteeing your access to information from federal agencies. It’s often also used as a catchall to refer more broadly to the larger body of law which establishes this guarantee. Take this course to learn about FOIA and how you can request information from the government in order to better inform your reporting.
This course is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice or mean that you have formed an attorney-client relationship with FIRE. No online tool can substitute for effective advice from an attorney who can evaluate the nuances of a given legal situation. If you believe you would benefit from speaking to an attorney, please contact FIRE so that we can attempt to connect you with a lawyer in your jurisdiction. FIRE’s Student Press Freedom Initiative hotline is 1-717-734-SPFI (7734).