Federal agencies are closing their Freedom of Information Act offices, disappearing information from their websites, no longer creating records, and possibly even inappropriately destroying them.
That’s just at the national level. At the local level, we’re seeing legislation introduced across various states that would make it easier for local governments to ignore requests they don’t like.
To discuss how the public can use public records requests to fight back against mounting secrecy, we’ll be joined by:
Lauren Harper, Daniel Ellsberg chair on government secrecy at FPF
Michael Morisy, CEO at MuckRock
Miranda Spivack, journalist and author of “Backroom Deals in Our Backyards”
Nate Jones, FOIA director at The Washington Post and author of “Able Archer 83”
📅 Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2025
⏰ Time: 1 p.m. EDT
📍 Location: Zoom (freedom.press/fight-gov-secrecy)
These experts will discuss how secrecy harms communities and damages trust in all levels of government, and how records requests can fight back and help inform the public. The panel will discuss success stories and lessons learned, and share practical tips about how to craft the most effective requests possible, even at this daunting hour for the public’s right to know.
