Reporters need to understand what their own equipment will do and what the agency's equipment can provide. Sometimes the news organization's computer specialist can discuss this with the agency's computer experts. Make an Informal Oral Request Determine whether an agency will be cooperative before using tactics that might be viewed as confrontational. A records custodian may provide records you need without requiring a formal request. If the agency makes electronic records available to other agencies, it may produce them for a requester.
Many agencies now make computer terminals available for public use.
As you appeal an adverse decision, documentation of your request and the agency response will be valuable. Show that your request is reasonable by including information you reamed earlier. If state statutes support your request, cite them. If any court decisions from your state support your request, cite those as well. Alternatively, cite other state or federal cases, especially those from jurisdictions that have public records laws similar to yours.