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Audio Transcript

Ms. Ballew: FBI’s David Hardy says a Freedom of Information request is the government’s way of allowing individuals to see agency records.

Mr. Hardy: “To look inside the agency with its own records and understand how the agency operates.”

Ms. Ballew: The FBI’s FOIA program chief says requesting files is very easy.

Mr. Hardy: “You can go to the FBI’s public website and we lay out in very succinct order as to what you need to do to request a particular file.”

Ms. Ballew: You can see the most commonly requested files on www.fbi.gov under “Hot Topics.”

Mr. Hardy: “We have Edward Kennedy’s FBI files, Howard Zinn, who was kind of a guru from the ‘60s, William Safire. In the past we’ve had Michael Jackson.”

Ms. Ballew: A couple of recommendations if you do request files.

Mr. Hardy: “The larger the request, the longer it takes us to process it. You might think about keeping the request narrow and then you’ll get it much quicker.”

Ms. Ballew: Also…

Mr. Hardy: “The other thing to remember…we can’t release information on current cases.”

Ms. Ballew: Over 130,000 pages are reviewed monthly for release to the public. I’m Denise Ballew of the Bureau, and that’s what’s happening at the “FBI, This Week.”