Freedom of Information Research
NEW
Top Ten List of Freedom of Information Failures
A List of Delayed, Ignored, and Otherwise Mishandled - and Unresolved - FOIA Requests
About the Sunshine Project and Freedom of Information Requests
The Sunshine Project makes extensive use of open records law in its research and publications. Our requests under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and related federal and state laws have, in several instances, documented disturbing research on biological and chemical weapons. These cases are discussed in publications available on this website.
Many government documents obtained under FOIA are made available here in their original form. For example, we maintain a unique online collection of government (and other) documents on "non-lethal" biochemical weapons.
Uncovering and distributing new information and analysis on government programs is the primary purpose of Sunshine Project FOIA requests. Another important aspect is in asserting and maintaining the public's right to this information, particularly in the present climate of secrecy.
Nationally, very few organizations actively file FOIA requests on biological and chemical weapons issues. Some government agencies attempt to conceal potentially controversial materials by exaggerating exemptions - trying to keep secrets that they are not legally entitled to maintain. This unwarranted secrecy is detrimental to biological weapons control and makes our job more difficult.
Donations to the Sunshine Project's Freedom of Information Fund (FOIA Fund) are entirely dedicated to the costs of preparing and processing FOIA requests for government documents on biological (and sometimes chemical) weapons. (Donate here.)