The news that Attorney General Eric Holder has set FOIA guidelines for releasing information unless doing so would cause “foreseeable harm” is welcome. The guidelines also call for government agencies to “readily and systematically post information online in advance of any public request.”
Traditionally, Republican administrations have been more strict about releasing information, and would “defend any “substantial legal basis” for withholding records,” while Democratic administrations have been more open.
Holder's policy isn't so much new as it is a return to the standard set during the Clinton administration under Janet Reno. Civil libertarians will likely use the new guidelines to get access to material that they weren’t able to under the prior administration.
— A. Serwer
