Every year, we’re thankful for all the amazing stories that Freedom of Information requests help tell as well as the public officials that do the hard work of providing access. But despite our holiday wishlist, every year some government agencies, officials and private companies fight back against the public’s right to know, which is why we are looking for your nominations for the 2024 Foilies, “awards” that highlight intransigence, secrecy and all sorts of other transparency-thwarting.
Organized by the Electronic Frontier Foundation and MuckRock, The Foilies are prominently featured online and in alternative newspapers nationwide during Sunshine Week (March 10-16, 2024), thanks to our partnership with the Association of Alternative Newsmedia.
Give us your worst
2023 witnessed various agencies struggle between transparency and secrecy. While we’ve chronicled numerous Freedom of Information Act blunders, countless stories remain untold, particularly those escaping media attention.
If you’ve encountered or read about an agency limiting crucial access, excessively redacting or even threatening requesters, this is your opportunity to spotlight those stories. Your contributions can inspire greater openness across all agencies — or at least a laugh among fellow requesters.
How to Participate
Submissions are welcomed from all corners of the transparency community - journalists, researchers, activists, both local and global. We’re not just interested in personal experiences of opacity but also incidents reported elsewhere. Submissions are open until January 2, so please nominate early and often!
We seek examples from every government level - local, state, national - and while our focus is on U.S. events, global instances of obfuscation are also welcome.
Explore The Foilies archives, dating back to 2015, for inspiration.
Header image and illustration by Caitlyn Crites of the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
