The government shutdown prompted agencies to suspend processing Freedom of Information Act requests. Some are not even accepting requests while journalists seeking information from others can expect long delays. (Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, October 3, 2013, by Emily Grannis)
Journalists covering current issues such as health care and the shutdown are blocked from obtaining data essential to informing the public. For instance, the Bureau of Labor Statistics will not have the staff to put up new research during the shutdown. (National Journal, October 3, 2013, by Matt Berman and Patrick Reis)