I don't think a public agency is allowed to conceal or destroy ANY information or documents. How can they redact archived files that are not protected by national security of executive confidentiality?
There's this button with the word "Delete" on it.
Whether they are allowed or not, hiding inconvenient information is SOP in Washington.
“I don’t think a public agency is allowed to conceal or destroy ANY information or documents. How can they redact archived files that are not protected by national security of executive confidentiality?”
Unfortunately there are several ways the Government can exempt information, you mentioned Exemption 1. Below is a more complete list, and I imagine 2 and 4 were highly used:
Exemption 1: Information that is classified to protect national security.
Exemption 2: Information related solely to the internal personnel rules and practices of an agency.
Exemption 3: Information that is prohibited from disclosure by another federal law.
Exemption 4: Trade secrets or commercial or financial information that is confidential or privileged.
Exemption 5: Privileged communications within or between agencies, including:
Deliberative Process Privilege
Attorney-Work Product Privilege
Attorney-Client Privilege
Exemption 6: Information that, if disclosed, would invade another individual’s personal privacy.
Exemption 7: Information compiled for law enforcement purposes that:
7(A). Could reasonably be expected to interfere with enforcement proceedings
7(B). Would deprive a person of a right to a fair trial or an impartial adjudication
7(C). Could reasonably be expected to constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
7(D). Could reasonably be expected to disclose the identity of a confidential source
7(E). Would disclose techniques and procedures for law enforcement investigations or prosecutions
7(F). Could reasonably be expected to endanger the life or physical safety of any individual
Exemption 8: Information that concerns the supervision of financial institutions.
Exemption 9: Geological information on wells.