The Right to Know

"This is an immensely sensible and insightful look at the fundamental importance of protecting our society's right to information in an age of terrorist threats. Klosek rigorously balances the threats posed by terrorists who use freedom of information laws to gain access to sensitive information against the risk of allowing a government and private industry to operate in secrecy. Human rights activists and scholars alike will appreciate the practical wisdom she offers that freedom of information is a crucial element to a society's accurate portrayal of history." -- Jeff Aresty President, InternetBar.org "In her latest publication, The Right to Know: Your Guide to Using and Defending Freedom of Information Law in the United States, Jacqueline Klosek contributes a superbly researched and thought provoking analysis of the Freedom of Information Act to our national debate regarding the accessibility-and accountability-of government to its citizens. This publication is an excellent resource for 'best practices' in leveraging current laws and dealing with their limitations, and for identifying relevant government agencies and personnel." -- Mary J. Hildebrand Member of the Firm Lowenstein Sandler PC, New Jersey

An attorney and certified information privacy professional offers a resource book for citizens seeking to understand, use, and defend their right to know under freedom of information laws in the United States.

An attorney and certified information privacy professional offers a resource book for citizens seeking to understand, use, and defend their right to know under freedom of information laws in the United States.

The Right to Know: Your Guide to Using and Defending Freedom of Information Law in the United States sets out in plain language freedom-of-information best practices for ordinary citizens, activist organizations, journalists, bloggers, and lawyers.

Jacqueline Klosek, an expert in U.S. information law, educes practical lessons from dozens of case studies to show how readers can use freedom of information laws to protect themselves, but also to protect the environment, and public health and safety, as well as to expose governmental and corporate crime, waste, and corruption. Finally, the book shows American readers how, in contrast to what is going on in most democracies, their right to know is being progressively curtailed, why this is so dangerous to democracy, and what they can do to help reverse the alarming trend.

• 15 illustrations