Final answer:
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) of 1966 establishes the public's right to request information from federal agencies, promoting transparency and accountability in government.
Step-by-step explanation:
The act that established the public’s right to request information from federal agencies is the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) of 1966. This act allows journalists and the general public to request records from federal agencies, which are obligated to release the information unless it is protected by one of nine exemptions that address national security, personal privacy, and other sensitive issues. The FOIA was signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson and intended to foster openness within the executive branch of the U.S. government, promoting a principle that sunlight is the best disinfectant against corruption.