Debate on future of FOI
FOI Man comments on this week’s Westminster Hall debate on the future of FOI This week there was a debate on the future of FOI following the post-legislative scrutiny. I have to admit that until it was...
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Is Scotland becoming less free with its information? A report on the FOI...
FOI Man sees two alternative futures for FOI at the FOI Scotland Conference. Is Scotland becoming less free with its information? That was the question posed by the organisers of this year’s Freedom of...
View ArticleCould Wikeley make FOI changes less likely?
Recent rulings by the Information Tribunal relating to vexatious requests could be a better answer to Government concerns over FOI than changes being mooted by the Ministry of Justice. At a briefing...
View ArticleFOI and First Contact
FOI Man brings you a tale of alien first contact from Scotland… Last year Leicester City Council revealed their plans for responding to a zombie attack, and now Glasgow City Council has shown its...
View ArticleThe Exemption Index: Section 14 – Vexatious requests
In the first of a new series, FOI Man looks at section 14 of the Freedom of Information Act – covering vexatious requests – and what every FOI Officer – and every requester – needs to know about it....
View ArticleAre universities transparent enough?
FOI Man talks to Times Higher Education about universities and openness. Times Higher Education magazine this week features an article about…higher education, and how open and transparent it is. I was...
View ArticleThe Exemption Index: Section 12 – refusing on grounds of cost
In this post, FOI Man looks at the provision within FOI to refuse requests which exceed “the appropriate limit”. Summary It’s the constant lament of some public authorities and critics of FOI. FOI...
View ArticleGame, Dataset and Match
FOI Man highlights forthcoming changes to FOI and provides some hints and tips for public authorities on how to deal with them. Last year, the Protection of Freedoms Act was passed. Amongst the changes...
View ArticleExact salary should be disclosed says Tribunal
FOI Man reports on a Tribunal decision that could change the way that public authorities treat requests for salary information of senior officials. A new decision from the First Tier Tribunal threatens...
View ArticleInformation Commissioner signals new approach to vexatious requests
FOI Man reviews new guidance from the Information Commissioner around the controversial issue of vexatious requests. Ever since the important decisions made by Judge Wikeley in the Upper Tribunal...
View ArticleCampaign for the Campaign for Freedom of Information
FOI Man calls for anyone who uses FOI, benefits from it, or is interested in transparency to support the Campaign for Freedom of Information I’ve been a bit quiet blog-wise over the last month, for...
View ArticleNo FOI in Queen’s Speech?
FOI Man argues that the absence of FOI from the Queen’s Speech does not mean that the Government has abandoned plans to amend FOI significantly, and explains what the process of making the proposed...
View ArticleCabinet Office issues new guidance on private email accounts
FOI Man looks at new guidance issued by the Cabinet Office which appears to directly contradict the Information Commissioner. Email is a fraught subject for information managers. Take this recent (and...
View ArticleThe Exemption Index – FOI Section 36
FOI Man looks at the key features of the controversial Freedom of Information Act exemption covering the effective conduct of public affairs. Summary FOI Officers sometimes find themselves in a tricky...
View ArticleThe Exemption Index – FOI Section 41
FOI Man looks at the Freedom of Information exemption covering information provided in confidence. Summary Before FOI came along it was pretty common for those working in public authorities to claim...
View ArticleMr Graham, you’re pointing the wrong way
FOI Man comments on a war of words between a national newspaper and the Information Commissioner and suggests that Chris Graham is firing in the wrong direction. I’m generally a tolerant chap. I try to...
View ArticleNews Bulletin – week to 9 August 2013
FOI Man summarises the key developments in a busy week in the information law arena. You would think that this time of year would be a quiet one in the information law arena, but apparently not. Last...
View ArticleTelling the complete story
FOI Man examines a news story that appears to use FOI responses and other information in a misleading way. Today’s Times Higher Education magazine includes a story with the headline: “Academy accused...
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Guest post: FOI Appeals – The Burden of Proof
FOI Man brings you a guest post from Dr Joe Reddington, a researcher at Royal Holloway, University of London, who asks where the burden of proof should lie when regulators consider appeals under FOI or...
View ArticleFOI requires guts not restrictions
FOI Man thinks senior public employees and their political masters need more guts to make the right decisions, not more restrictions to prevent them from having to. Civil Service World brings us the...
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