| FOIL: The Law and the Future of Public Information in New York Subjects: Freedom of information -- New York (State); Public records -- Law and legislation -- New York (State); Public records -- Access control -- New York (State); Government information -- New York (State); The Freedom of Information Law allows any person to request and obtain, without explanation or justification, existing, identifiable, and unpublished governmental records, including documents, data, and video. Signed into law in New York in 1974, FOIL remains a powerful public panacea in unlocking information and maintaining vital transparency in our state government. Databases detailing public employee compensation, online viewing of highway department agreements and school district superintendents' contracts, and text message exchanges--all disclosed and made public through FOIL requests--are now common, as the last decade has ushered in an increased demand for public information. Brett Orzechowski is assistant professor of management and media at Utica College. Previously, he served as CEO of The Connecticut Mirror, a public policy news organization covering Hartford and Washington, DC. |