Final answer:
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) provides public access to government records through online databases, by direct request to government agencies, and by accessing public records, allowing for citizen oversight over the bureaucracy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a law that allows the public to access information from the federal government. Information becomes available through FOIA in several ways. Most commonly, it is accessible through online databases which provide a plethora of governmental records. Government agencies are responsible for providing records in response to FOIA requests, ensuring that citizens can exercise oversight over the bureaucracy. Public records, which are documents or pieces of information that are not considered confidential, are also accessible through the FOIA. While private companies are not subject to the FOIA, they may release information that becomes part of governmental records, which is then subject to FOIA requests.