E-FOIA hasn't speeded release of info, groups charge

Representatives from media organizations and OMB Watch, a public interest group, said the 1996 Electronic Freedom of Information Act has yet to break down many of the obstacles to gaining access to government information, according to testimony before the House Government Management, Information and Technology Subcommittee.

Government agencies still take too long to respond to Freedom of Information Act requests and much government information remains difficult to find online, according to Lucy Dalglish, executive director of the Reporter's Committee for Freedom of the Press.

Federal officials responded that they have been making progress in implementing the legislation, though they realize there is work to be done.

Ethan Posner, Justice Department deputy associate attorney general, said that four years ago, the FBI had 15,000 pending FOIA requests, and that the backlog has been whittled to 5,000 since the passage of the legislation.

"Although there is more work to be done and more progress to be made, we believe that the DOJ and other federal agencies have provided materially better service and more responsive government," Posner testified.