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Freedom Of Information News RSSFreedom of Information
Like a street mugger this government thrives on lurking in the dark and the shadows, as it commits its crimes– the war in Iraq, ID Cards Act, the list goes on – now it is proposing curtailing even the single candle of light that gave us access to information to make our own minds up – The Freedom of Information Act.
The Government review of the Freedom of Information Act has brought up two main proposed amendments:
1. The first proposed amendment roughly translates as, they’ll spend some time shuffling paper around deciding how much time it will take to shuffle paper around then refuse the request because it’ll take too long to do the combined shuffling of paper or even the thinking about shuffling paper. Or in other words request can only cost a combined total of £600 (for government departments - only £450 for public authorities) which would include thinking time.
2. The second proposal will allow organisations or "serial requesters" – including universities, NGO’s and newspapers to ask only four questions a year. Massively curtailing our right even to ask before being refused the information.
Full details of the proposals & further details and what people have said - from The Campaign for Freedom of Information
TAKE ACTION
Write to your MP at WriteToThem.com
The Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA) has conceded to another period of consultation on the planned reforms - take part here - deadline 21/06/07
Results from the previous consultation period
The response from the Information Commissioner's Office (PDF)
Assistance from the OpenRights group on the DCA consultation
The petition at www.number10.gov - "We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Reject the restrictions on the Freedom of Information Act proposed by the Department of Constitutional Affairs" - The Prime Ministers response
Other Reading
Campaign for Freedom of Information - The Campaign for Freedom of Information is a non-profit organisation working to improve public access to official information and to ensure that the Freedom of Information Act is implemented effectively.
UK Freedom of Information Act Blog - News, views and updates on the UK Freedom of Information Act, worldwide Freedom of Information and open government. Maintained by The Campaign for Freedom of Information.
Information Commissioners Office - Your rights, responsibilities and obligations - Everything you need to know about freedom of information, from basic information and guidance to individuals' rights, organisations' obligations, our legal powers, responsibilities and publication schemes.
Guardian Special report: freedom of information - including a guide to using the Freedom of Information Act and the Guardian reports relating to the Act
Your Right To Know - The website accompanies and updates Heather Brooke's book "Your Right to Know: How to use the Freedom of Information Act and other access laws". She wrote the book to expose the extent of Britain’s culture of secrecy and to give people the tools they need to challenge and change the system so it becomes more open and accountable to the public.
Spy Blog - UK FOIA requests - "This United Kingdom based blog has been spawned from Spy Blog, and is meant to provide a place to track our Freedom of Information Act 2000 requests to United Kingdom Government and other Public Authorities."
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