FOIA Requests vs JSON Canvas

FOIA Requests

By James Anditis (Journalism)

Draft and file Freedom of Information Act requests to obtain government records.

JSON Canvas

By Steph Ango (Kepano / Obsidian)

Create visual knowledge maps, mind maps, and flowcharts for Obsidian without any code.

FOIA Requests

• Provides ready-to-use templates for federal and state FOIA requests with proper legal language
• Explains the 9 federal exemptions and state-specific public records laws across all 50 states
• Guides you through fee waiver requests, appeals processes, and tracking submission status
• Includes reference tables for state-by-state laws and legislative exemptions
• Offers strategic advice on crafting specific, targeted requests that agencies are more likely to fulfill

JSON Canvas

• Creates visual canvases with text boxes, images, links, and grouped elements
• Connects ideas with labeled arrows and color-coded relationships
• Generates mind maps, flowcharts, project boards, and research diagrams
• Organizes complex information spatially so you can see the big picture
• Saves files that open directly in Obsidian's canvas view

Reach for FOIA Requests when…

• You're investigating a story and need official documents from a government agency
• You need to understand what records are legally available in your state or at the federal level
• You're appealing a denied FOIA request or requesting a fee waiver
• You're tracking multiple public records requests and need to follow up with agencies

Reach for JSON Canvas when…

• You're brainstorming a new project and want to map out all the moving pieces
• You need to visualize how different ideas or documents connect to each other
• You're planning a workflow or process and want to see it as a flowchart
• You want to turn scattered notes into an organized visual knowledge map