They also outline modern sharing culture as a culprit. As citizens are more open to sharing information (including their own) online, the more the government recognizes what can be gleaned from their own records and subsequently become more resistant to complying with records laws.

In a post-9/11 culture haunted by the fear of terrorism, many Americans may be willing to partially give up this right to information for the sake of security. American security is important and can be a valid argument for some records request refusals—information that would endanger American security in high-risk situations is already exempt from open records laws. However, cultural leniency with the right to public information for the sake of fear can lead to acceptance of further secrecy from government organizations and a less informed electorate.

Of course, we still benefit from having a government system that recognizes the power of accountability, even if each agency wishes it didn't apply to them. Having a FOIA law in the first place allows us to contest abuses of it, which is what journalists need to keep doing to make sure that citizens' right to information is upheld.