Final answer:
To qualify for a FOIA fee waiver, a requester must prove that the disclosure is in the public interest, contributing significantly to public understanding of government operations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Fee waivers for Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests can be made under specific circumstances. In general, these waivers may be granted if the requester can show that the disclosure of the information is in the public interest because it is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations or activities of the government and is not primarily in the requester's commercial interest.
Addressing part b of the provided question, to qualify for a fee waiver, the requester must prove that the disclosure is in the public interest. This does not cover demonstrating that the fee is unaffordable, proving a government error, or demonstrating unemployment. The FOIA encourages this by requiring agencies to release information unless it falls under one of nine exemptions, such as national security, personal privacy, or other protected matters. Therefore, a requester cannot simply demonstrate personal financial hardship or a personal stake in the information to receive a fee waiver; the request must serve a greater public good.