America's "freedom Of Information Act And The Media

The US Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a law with profound and lasting impact. It is an important part of US media law and thus has a close relationship with US media. This article studies the connection between FOIA and media. It can help us to better understand US media in a wide social background. Meanwhile, the study on the connection between media and laws can enrich the research of the US media laws and journalism theories concerned.In the beginning, this article gives a general introduction to FOIA which discusses the means, operation mechanics and exemptions for disclosure prescribed in the act. These prescriptions are concordant with the main values of US media.And then, this article discusses the connection between FOIA and media in three aspects.First, US media play an important role in FOIA history. The campaign in support of the public's right to know organized by the press promoted the enaction of FOIA. The great efforts made by the press helped to define the purpose and guidelines of FOIA in theory and supplied enough materials for the draft of FOIA in practice. In addition, the media also promoted the amendment of this act.Second, some important FOIA cases have a close relationship with media. The news gathering activities made by the media promote the...