When the Freedom of Information Act of 1966 was amended, despite President Ford's veto, expectations for improved access to federal agency records were high. This report details the manner in which information seekers, particularly members of the media, were deterred from using the act by nine loopholes in the 1966 law. In addition, the process whereby representatives of the media, historians, and other concerned groups lobbied for change is described. Congressional amendments made in 1974 produced two major substantive changes in the original law--"in camera" review of the classification of information as restricted and sanctions against bureaucrats who capriciously withhold information. (KS)