Rick Blum works as an advocate for journalists who may unfairly hear the word 'no' from a government agency. As coordinator of the Sunshine in Government Initiative, he champions the rights for transparency and open government provided by Freedom of Information Act.
While FOIA gives journalists the right request the release of government records, Blum says that process can often take time, especially at the federal level.
"It's not going to force something to happen next week," he said. "But, if you're on deadline and you're expecting to file a FOIA request with an agency, it's going to be tough. I have to tell you. You've got to think ahead."
Blum spoke to It's All Journalism producers Anna Miars and Michael O'Connell about the how journalists can use FOIA to access government records and how his group and others like them are pushing for a more open and transparent government.
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