If you receive a FOIA request that requires extensive data analysis, what is your legal obligation?

The legal obligation in response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request is to provide existing documents only. Under FOIA, agencies are required to disclose any information or documents that are already in their possession unless exempt under the law. This means that if the requested information exists in a documented format, the agency must provide it without creating new documents or conducting extensive data analysis.

If the request requires extensive analysis or the creation of new documents, the agency is not obligated to comply unless the requested information is already compiled in a way that can be easily provided. The underlying principle of FOIA is transparency and the right of the public to access government records, but it does not obligate agencies to do new work or produce new data in response to a request.

Consulting with the reporter for clarification can be a good practice and may help refine the request, but it does not change the fundamental legal obligation to provide existing documents only. Therefore, the correct answer aligns with the legal requirements of FOIA and the expectations for recordkeeping and transparency within government agencies.