The Freedom of Information Act is one of the most vital tools in journalism and gaining information to things in our country that we have the right to be informed of. If FOIA was not put in place the government could hide anything from the American people and there would be nothing that anyone could do about it. Because of FOIA, civilians can obtain information on things such as the FCC and the FBI.
I used my power as an American to do research into the FBI files on a person that I was interested in learning more about. The person I chose to do research on is Malcolm X. Turns out that Malcolm X has a very extensive file with the FBI. The file is very detailed, including his home address and the place where he was born. Before Malcolm became the famous man that he is, he ran into the law a few times. His charges included larceny, breaking and entering, and carrying firearms. Although this file is very detailed and informative, there are a few clues that give hints of the bias of the FBI. In the file the FBI clearly calls the Nation of Islam a cult and Malcolm, because of his association with the "Cult of Islam" was viewed to be a communist and was thereafter under federal investigation.
Thanks to FOIA I and many other people can gain information on such subjects as the case of Malcolm X. As a mass communication major I understand the true journalistic and referential value of FOIA. We should all be glad for it.
