This post has been updated.
The Navy this week accidentally sent email correspondence discussing strategies for denying a local NBC reporter’s Freedom of Information Act request to reporter Scott MacFarlane, according to Politico.
EPIC FAILURE- U.S. Navy accidentally sends reporter its strategy memo for dodging his FOIA request cc: @gregorykorte pic.twitter.com/aKno0qKK6h
— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) January 7, 2014
The memo directs a Navy employee to give the FOIA requester a cost estimate for the document release, as it may “encourage the requester to ‘narrow the scope.'”
“Again another ‘fish expedition’ – just because they are media doesn’t mean that the memos would shed light on specific government activities,” the memo adds.
The Navy FOIA office told Politico that the emails were sent to MacFarlane as an “administrative error.”
The Navy on Tuesday apologized for the email sent to NBC and stated that it is committed to the Freedom of Information Act.
#USNavy regrets the content of an internal email sent to @nbcwashington cc @politico @Gawker
— U.S. Navy (@USNavy) January 7, 2014
The #USNavy remains committed to transparency & responding to FOIA requests in a timely and professional manner. CC @politico @Gawker
— U.S. Navy (@USNavy) January 7, 2014
