U.S. Navy mistakenly sends how-to memo on dodging FOIA requests
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The Washington Times
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
** FILE ** Under heavy guard: The Washington Navy Yard was closed ... more >
Talk about a misstep. The
U.S. Navy accidentally sent out a memo that spells out various ways to duck and dodge Freedom of Information Act requests to a local
NBC News reporter.
Politico reported that
Scott MacFarlane, an
NBC 4 reporter who works in Washington, D.C., had asked the
Navy for certain documents. But he never expected as part of his FOIA request to receive an internal
Navy note that details how to dismiss his request as a “fishing expedition.”
Mr. MacFarlane had sought information related to the
Navy Yard shooting in September and had asked that all fees beyond $15 be waived, Politico reported.
The surprise
Navy memo said to negotiate with
Mr. MacFarlane
over his request and characterize it as a waste of time. It also said,
Politico reported, to speak about the cost of fulfilling the request
as a means of pressuring
Mr. MacFarlane
to “narrow the scope” of his FOIA. The memo specifically states:
“Again, ‘fishing expedition.’ Just because they are media doesn’t mean
the memos shed light on specific government activities.”
The
U.S. Navy apologized for the memo.
In a tweet, the
Navy said: “#USNavy regrets the content of an internal email sent to @nbcwashington cc @politico @Gawker.”
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