Which of the following is a purpose of the Freedom of Information Act?

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is designed primarily to enhance government transparency by granting the public the right to access information held by federal agencies. This legislation promotes accountability in government by allowing individuals, media, and organizations to request documents and records, thus ensuring that government actions are subject to scrutiny. By making information accessible, FOIA serves as a tool for citizens to engage more fully in the democratic process and to hold government entities accountable for their decisions and actions.

In contrast, while protecting state secrets is a significant concern for national security and is addressed through exemptions within FOIA, this is not a purpose of the Act itself. The regulation of business practices falls outside the scope of FOIA, which is focused on public access to government records. Similarly, while personal privacy is an important consideration within the implementation of FOIA (such as when personal identifying information is involved), it is not a primary purpose of the Act, which is to ensure transparency rather than privacy.