Freedom Of Information Act Pros And Cons

The Freedom of Information Act of the United States was passed by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1966, allowing for all people to request to see documents controlled by different aspects of the government and to allow for people to attend government meetings. It was meant to increase the transparency, honesty and security of the government despite the restrictions in the exemptions allowed within the act. Even with this act the nation was led to a nationwide shock as the secrets of the Watergate scandal in Nixon’s presidency arose—a period of monumental bewilderment that ultimately led to Nixon stepping down from being the president of the United States. Moments like these ended up in changes and improvements of the Freedom of Information Act. The Freedom of Information Act, which technically allows for the government to refuse to release documents if wanted, is also quite controversial by nature. Controversial and arousing questions arise: do the decisions of political figures in refusing to …show more content…
It allows for everyone to be more involved in political affairs by granting them the opportunity to attend political meetings. It allows for everyone to request specific documents whenever they need them. Most importantly, it allows for everyone to closely monitor the honesty and integrity of American politics as a whole. It acts almost like an extension of the First Amendment in which people are able to express what they want and sepak about what they want, which only increases in magnitude if they are granted with the abilities that the Freedom of Information Act allows them to have. In a sense, this act allows for the ultimate expansion and expression of democracy, something that the Founding Fathers of America would have certainly wanted the past, the present, and the future generations to obtain. Unfortunately, the Freedom of Information Act as it is has many setbacks as