What is the purpose of "proactive disclosure" in FOI?

• A. To encourage public participation in governance
• B. To raise awareness about governmental processes
• C. To reduce the number of FOI requests by publishing information in advance
• D. To enforce penalties for mismanaged records

Answer: (C)

The purpose of proactive disclosure in Freedom of Information (FOI) is to reduce the number of FOI requests by publishing information in advance. This strategy involves governmental entities providing information that is likely to be requested by the public without individuals needing to formally file a request. By making information readily available and easily accessible, proactive disclosure not only saves resources for both requesters and the agencies, but it also enhances transparency and accountability.

When agencies anticipate what information the public might seek, they can proactively share this data, reducing the burden of repetitive requests. This approach fosters a more informed public while optimizing the workflow within governmental organizations. Other choices may touch on related aspects of engagement and awareness, but they do not specifically address the primary objective of proactive disclosure, which is the anticipation and dissemination of information to curtail specific inquiries.