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Do-It-Yourself FOIA for Budding Investigative Bloggers Email Print

By Tom Ball
03/03/2006 09:36:54 AM EST

Jeff Gannon and Talon News, the Downing Street Memo, and fake TANG documents are just the tip o' the berg. Each day the lords of Blogdom offer insights on stories and factual tidbits that would otherwise be dismissed, overlooked, ignored, downplayed, or outrightly covered up. We should all be very thankful for this new medium - one that seeks to fill the canyonic gaps created by mainstream news outlets.

As this investigative vigor grows within the blogosphere, so too does the thirst for usable tools that ease the process of investigative journalism.

In response to that, Political Cortex has created an extensive resource page targeted toward helping investigative online journalists do what they do best - dig out the truth.

Today, we are happy to add a powerful new tool - one that assists in the process of requesting documents via the Freedom of Information Act.

FOIArequest.org is a project of the People for the American Way and offers this introduction on their website:

Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), anyone has the right to request information from the government. Last strengthened by Congress in response to the Watergate scandal, FOIA gives citizens a way to demand transparency from the Administration -- and take the government to court if necessary.

Many Americans -- especially those with family and friends abroad -- are wondering whether government agents have been listening to their phone conversations or reading their email. If you're worried this has happened to you, you can use this site to help you find out.

We can't guarantee that the Bush administration will disclose all this information in compliance with the law, but we can help you through the process. By filing a FOIA request, you will send a strong signal that American citizens believe in the rule of law and aren't afraid to stand up to the President when he violates the Constitution!

If you're tired of the drivel spewed by traditional media outlets, now is the time to take the news into your own hands. Check out the Cortex Investigative Resource page and get to work;)


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Do-It-Yourself FOIA for Budding Investigative Bloggers | 5 comments (5 topical, editorial, 0 hidden)
Tom (5.00 / 3)
That's a great idea. One of the best uses of the blogtopia during the campaign was the countless google monkeys being able to fact check immediately during the campaigns.

Call havoc! and let slip the foia's of war.

I abhor the dull routine of existence. I crave for mental exhaltation. Sherlock Holmes.

by Carnacki on 03/03/2006 10:37:06 AM EST

So true! (none / 0)
And as much as the blogosphere critics want to belittle the bloggers and point out their (our) apparent self-aggrandizement (their entitled to their opinion), the truth of the matter is that the blogosphere, at an absolute minimum, provides critical fact-checking for the blowhards who somehow garner a well-heard voice.

Political Cortex -- Brain Food for the Body Politic

by Tom Ball on 03/03/2006 10:44:46 AM EST

[ Parent ]
mmmm hmmmm (none / 1)
and you can't shake a stick at that.

Well, you can try... but it won't matter!

btw, that resource page is phenomenal. Everyone should know about it.

Thank you Cortexers!

by Embolden on 03/03/2006 10:47:42 AM EST

[ Parent ]
Why do "real reporters" hate bloggers? (none / 1)
Because we're doing the job they're supposed to be doing (okay, not me, but people like you and Susan G, etc.).  

They've worked their jobs into cushy little country clubs where they repeat what someone's press aid tells them to say, smile for the camera, and collect a check.  The last thing they want is someone letting out the secret that the story they're giving us isn't the truth.

by Devilstower on 03/03/2006 01:55:25 PM EST

[ Parent ]
don't be so modest! (none / 0)
You rock!

Political Cortex -- Brain Food for the Body Politic

by Tom Ball on 03/03/2006 11:20:50 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Do-It-Yourself FOIA for Budding Investigative Bloggers | 5 comments (5 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)
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