Ralph Nader Conference

Ralph Nader Conference on the 50^th Anniversary of the Historic 1974 FOIA Amendments

Washington D.C., December 19, 2024 – The Center for Study of Responsive Law (CSRL), the Ralph Nader-founded public interest group, will hold a conference at the National Press Building on Thursday, December 19^th commemorating the 50^th anniversary of the 1974 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Amendments. The 1974 FOIA amendments – passed by a Congressional override of President Gerald Ford’s veto – strengthened the 1966 Freedom of Information Act and gave civic enforcement teeth, via judicial review, to the Act that had existed mostly on paper since President Johnson signed the original FOIA into law.

“Having been active during the enactment process on Capitol Hill, I can attest that these amendments are among the most crucial government accountability and transparency legislation ever passed in this country. They have served as a model for later similar laws at the state level and in countries the world over,” said Nader.

To commemorate a half century of greater government transparency and to chart the path forward for a stronger FOIA, Ralph Nader is holding this 50^th anniversary celebration featuring FOIA superstars, such as Thomas Susman of the ABA, Alan Morrison and Anne Weismann of GW Law School, and journalist Roberta Baskin, among other leading figures in the freedom of information movement. This event will be moderated by Theresa Amato, former director of the Freedom of Information Clearinghouse.

This 50^th anniversary gathering will be held in the National Press Club First Amendment Lounge and will run from 8:30 am to 1p.m., with breakfast provided between 8:30 am and 9 am.

More information, including the event schedule and speaker biographies, are available here: csrl.org/2024/12/10/1974-foia-amendments-50th-anniversary-celebration-agenda/

Registration: Secure your spot by registering here.