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Government accused of trying to water down Freedom of Information Act Government accused of trying to water down Freedom of Information Act
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The government has been accused of a “cynical and dangerous” attempt to water down important freedom of information legislation in a campaign uniting journalists and supporters of press freedom launched on Monday.The government has been accused of a “cynical and dangerous” attempt to water down important freedom of information legislation in a campaign uniting journalists and supporters of press freedom launched on Monday.
Campaigners fear government proposals could make it more difficult – and costly – for the media and the public to use the act to access information held by public bodies. After launching a controversial independent commission to look into the issue in July, the government has called for responses to its proposals by 20 November.Campaigners fear government proposals could make it more difficult – and costly – for the media and the public to use the act to access information held by public bodies. After launching a controversial independent commission to look into the issue in July, the government has called for responses to its proposals by 20 November.
Speaking at the Society of Editors annual meeting in London on Monday, Nick Turner, the digital strategy manager of CN Group and president elect of the SoE, called for the society’s 400 members to write to MPs and gather support to fight against any changes to the act.Speaking at the Society of Editors annual meeting in London on Monday, Nick Turner, the digital strategy manager of CN Group and president elect of the SoE, called for the society’s 400 members to write to MPs and gather support to fight against any changes to the act.
Launching the campaign Hands Off FoI, in conjunction with Press Gazette and HoldtheFrontPage, Turner said: “This would be a cynical and, indeed, dangerous backward step in the long fight for greater openness and transparency.”Launching the campaign Hands Off FoI, in conjunction with Press Gazette and HoldtheFrontPage, Turner said: “This would be a cynical and, indeed, dangerous backward step in the long fight for greater openness and transparency.”
“If MPs really want to serve their constituents, they will support this campaign to maintain the tremendous work of the Campaign for Freedom of Information.”“If MPs really want to serve their constituents, they will support this campaign to maintain the tremendous work of the Campaign for Freedom of Information.”
Maurice Frankel, director of the Campaign for Freedom of Information, which has fought for greater openness for over 20 years, said he feared the government’s supposedly independent commission was made up of people, such as former government minister Jack Straw, who are known to believe that there should be more exemptions under FoI.Maurice Frankel, director of the Campaign for Freedom of Information, which has fought for greater openness for over 20 years, said he feared the government’s supposedly independent commission was made up of people, such as former government minister Jack Straw, who are known to believe that there should be more exemptions under FoI.
“If we don’t do something about it, the act is going to be seriously restricted,” he told the SoE meeting. The campaign group is to hold a briefing on Wednesday to discuss how best to fight government attempts to introduce more restrictions.“If we don’t do something about it, the act is going to be seriously restricted,” he told the SoE meeting. The campaign group is to hold a briefing on Wednesday to discuss how best to fight government attempts to introduce more restrictions.
Asked about the government’s review of the FoI earlier on Monday, John Whittingdale, the culture secretary, denied that the current review meant that it would be overturned.Asked about the government’s review of the FoI earlier on Monday, John Whittingdale, the culture secretary, denied that the current review meant that it would be overturned.
“[In the same way] everyone thinks I am going to abolish the BBC just because I am going to look at how it works after 10 years,” he said.“[In the same way] everyone thinks I am going to abolish the BBC just because I am going to look at how it works after 10 years,” he said.
Afterwards, Nick Turner said he found this comparison less than encouraging. He compared the government “looking” at FoI and the BBC to “the way a lion is only having a look at an antelope with a limp”.Afterwards, Nick Turner said he found this comparison less than encouraging. He compared the government “looking” at FoI and the BBC to “the way a lion is only having a look at an antelope with a limp”.
Cash-strapped public institutions have criticised the cost of meeting FoI requests but Frankel highlighted the many public interest stories that had resulted from the legislation. One recent local example was the Pembrokeshire chief executive being paid £2,368 a month by the local authority to drive a Porsche sports car.Cash-strapped public institutions have criticised the cost of meeting FoI requests but Frankel highlighted the many public interest stories that had resulted from the legislation. One recent local example was the Pembrokeshire chief executive being paid £2,368 a month by the local authority to drive a Porsche sports car.
Introduced in 2004, the FoI Act was described by former Prime Minister Tony Blair as the “cornerstone of constitutional reform”.Introduced in 2004, the FoI Act was described by former Prime Minister Tony Blair as the “cornerstone of constitutional reform”.
Under current proposals, which could be introduced before the parliamentary recess at Christmas, are new charges for requests, changes to make it easier to refuse requests on cost grounds and plans to strengthen ministers’ powers to veto disclosures.Under current proposals, which could be introduced before the parliamentary recess at Christmas, are new charges for requests, changes to make it easier to refuse requests on cost grounds and plans to strengthen ministers’ powers to veto disclosures.
Last month a letter of concern was sent by more than 140 news organisations to the prime minister.Last month a letter of concern was sent by more than 140 news organisations to the prime minister.
The five-member committee includes: Jack Straw, the former foreign secretary, who is already on the record calling for the act to be rewritten; Lord Carlile of Berriew, who accused the Guardian of “a criminal act” when it published stories using National Security Agency material leaked by Edward Snowden; Lord Howard, whose gardening expenses were exposed following FoI requests; and Patricia Hodgson, the deputy chair of Ofcom, which has criticised the act for its “chilling effect” on government. The five-member committee includes: Jack Straw, the former foreign secretary, who is already on the record calling for the act to be rewritten; Lord Carlile of Berriew, who accused the Guardian of “a criminal act” when it published stories using National Security Agency material leaked by Edward Snowden; Lord Howard, whose gardening expenses were exposed following FoI requests; and Patricia Hodgson, the chair of Ofcom, which has criticised the act for its “chilling effect” on government.
It is chaired by Lord Burns, the former chair of Channel 4 and a former permanent secretary to the Treasury.It is chaired by Lord Burns, the former chair of Channel 4 and a former permanent secretary to the Treasury.