What is the purpose of the Freedom of Information Act?

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a law that grants the public access to records and documents maintained by the government in California. Its purpose is to provide transparency and bolster the public’s awareness of what the government is doing. The California Public Records Act, the state’s version of the national law, is designed to ensure that the public is aware of the activities, policies, and procedures of the state and local governments. It grants people the right to inspect or obtain copies of public records, as well as the ability to get copies of those records. Under the law, the state and local government entities must make available for inspection and copying any record that is not shielded from disclosure under any applicable law. This includes documents maintained by the government, such as reports, legal documents, statistical data, official correspondence, and other records. The Freedom of Information Act also protects the public’s right to petition the government for a redress of grievances. Under the law, the government must respond to a request for public records within 10 business days or explain why the documents are not available for inspection. In short, the purpose of the Freedom of Information Act is to ensure that the public has access to information held by the government. This allows people to stay informed about the activities of the government and to hold them accountable for their actions.

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What is the purpose of the Freedom of Information Act?

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