We filed a FOIA request… but what does that actually mean? 👀 (Part 1) #foia #crimejunkies | Forensic Files

We filed a FOIA request. If you've listened to Crime Junkie for more than like two episodes, then you've probably
heard me say this or something like we filed a FOIA request. The FOIA was approved or more likely our FOIA request
was denied. But what exactly is a FOIA? And what does it mean when we file one? Let me break it down for you. FOIA
stands for Freedom of Information Act and it's a law that gives me and you the right to ask the government for
information. This is the law that allows citizens like us to be in the know through a requesting access to things
like police reports, emails, 911 calls, witness interviews, investigative files,
internal memos, all of the stuff that is part of an agency's records. If a government agency created it or used it,
there's a good chance that it can fall under a FOIA request. Now, ultimately, we use FOIA to obtain information that
is not public record in order to ensure that we're investigating every angle of a case. And the whole idea behind FOIA
is transparency. The government works for the public or at least it's supposed to. So, we should be able to see how
decisions are being made, how investigations are handled, and whether things are actually being done by the
book. But I'm sure you guys know by now after listening, getting a FOIA request approved isn't always easy.

FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) gives YOU the right to request records from the government — and it’s a huge part of how we dig deeper into cases. Check out part 2 on our channel and tagged below for a deep dive!

Drop your questions below ⬇️ What do you want to know about how we uncover the truth? -------- Follow Crime Junkie: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crimejunkiepodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrimeJunkiePodcast/ Crime Junkie is created and hosted by Ashley Flowers.

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About Ashley Flowers Ashley Flowers is the top female podcaster in the U.S. and the host of Crime Junkie, the #1 podcast among women and the #1 true crime podcast globally. As the Founder of audiochuck, she has built a top-tier podcast production company that has garnered over 2.6 billion downloads, captivating audiences with its gripping storytelling through 10+ chart topping podcasts. Ashley and her team are dedicated to creating responsible true crime content that respects victims and their families.

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Brief Summary

This episode explains FOIA, its purpose, and the challenges of filing requests for government information.

Key points

Understanding FOIA. FOIA stands for Freedom of Information Act, allowing citizens to request government information.

Episode highlights

Understanding FOIAFOIA stands for Freedom of Information Act, allowing citizens to request government information.“This is the law that allows citizens like us to be in the know.”0:18Mar 4, 2026

Episode quotes

The whole idea behind FOIA is transparency.

Explaining the purpose of FOIA.

0:52WatchMar 4, 2026

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