the Freedom of Information Act
/ðə ˌfriːdəm əv ɪnfəˈmeɪʃn ækt/
/ðə ˌfriːdəm əv ɪnfərˈmeɪʃn ækt/
- (abbreviation FOI)in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, a law that gives people the right to ask a public authority or organization whether they have any information on a particular subject, and if so, to obtain it. The authority or organization must reply to a request within 20 working days but may refuse to provide information in some circumstances, for example where it could harm national security. The law also requires public institutions to follow a programme of publishing the information that they hold. It was passed in 2000 but only came fully into effect in 2005. A separate but similar law applies in Scotland.
《信息自由法》： 在英格兰，威尔士和北爱尔兰，该法律赋予人们权利询问公共机构或组织是否有关于特定主题的信息，如果有，则有权获取。当局或组织必须在20个工作日内回复请求，但在某些情况下（例如可能损害国家安全的情况）可能拒绝提供信息。该法律还要求公共机构遵循发布其拥有的信息的程序。该法案于2000年通过，但直到2005年才完全生效。苏格兰也有单独但类似的法律。 - (abbreviation the FOIA)in the US, a law that allows anyone to ask to see information kept by the government on a person or an organization. Such requests must be in writing and name specific documents. The law was passed in 1966 and strengthened in 1974, and journalists have often used it. Some personal files and information relating to national security are not included under the law. Individual states have similar laws.
信息自由法： 在美国，一项法律，允许任何人要求查看政府保存在个人或组织上的信息。此类请求必须为书面形式并注明具体文件。该法律于1966年通过，并于1974年得到加强，记者经常使用该法律。法律不包括一些与国家安全有关的个人档案和信息。各个州都有类似的法律。