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Freedom of information laws 'misused' by journalists, says Chris Grayling Freedom of Information Act misused by media to create stories, says Grayling
(about 3 hours later)
A Tory minister has accused journalists of “misusing” freedom of information laws to “generate” stories. A Conservative cabinet minister has signalled a crackdown on the “misuse” of Freedom of Information requests as a means of researching stories for journalists.
Chris Grayling, the leader of the House of Commons, claimed journalists used the Freedom of Information Act as a “research tool” and said it should be used for “those who want to understand why and how government is taking decisions”. Chris Grayling, the leader of the House of Commons, said it was wrong that the Freedom of Information Act was being used as a “research tool” to “generate stories” for the media.
His comments are likely to anger freedom of information campaigners and the media, which has used the law to uncover stories such as the Prince of Wales’s so-called “black spider letters”. In advance of a review of FOI, which ministers believe is costing too much money, Grayling said it should be used for “those who want to understand why and how government is taking decisions”.
He made the comments in the House of Commons after being asked for an urgent debate to discuss worries of the Birmingham Post and Birmingham Mail newspapers about the current threat to freedom of information.
Grayling said: “The irony is that the person who said that he regretted the Freedom of Information Act 2000 most was the former MP Jack Straw, who introduced it.
“He said that he looked back on it as one of the things that he had got wrong. This government are committed to the act, but we want to ensure that it works well and fairly, and cannot be abused or misused.
“It is, on occasion, misused by those who use it as, effectively, a research tool to generate stories for the media, and that is not acceptable. It is a legitimate and important tool for those who want to understand why and how governments make decisions, and this government does not intend to change that.”
Related: Freedom of Information Act must be strengthened, says Tom WatsonRelated: Freedom of Information Act must be strengthened, says Tom Watson
The government has set up an FoI commission to review the scope of existing laws, which permit members of the public, journalists and campaigners to access information. His remarks were condemned by Tom Watson, the deputy leader of the Labour party, who believes the FOI Act should be strengthened, not undermined.
The government, police forces and hospital trusts are among those covered by existing FoI laws, although campaigners fear the commission will recommend increasing the cost of requests and limiting its scope. “Chris Grayling’s assertion that the Freedom of Information Act is ‘misused’ to generate stories for the media betrays a greater truth about this government’s thinking,” he said.
During the business questions in the Commons, Grayling said: “The person who said they regretted the Freedom of Information Act most was [Labour former Cabinet minister] Jack Straw who introduced it. “What they’d really like to see is less open government. It is the job of journalists to hold the government to account on behalf of the public. The Freedom of Information Act is a vital tool in their armoury which should not and must not be removed or weakened.”
“He said he looked back upon it as one of the things he got wrong. Asked whether he was saying journalists should not be using FOI as a research tool, a source close to Grayling said this was not what he meant but it was “important we look at ways FOI can be made to work better”.
“The truth is the Freedom of Information Act is something this government is committed to but we want to make sure it works well and fairly, it cannot be abused, it cannot be misused. The government has been considering introducing more charges and greater limits on the scope on FOI as part of its review.
“It is on occasions misused by those who use it effectively as a research tool to generate stories for the media. David Cameron was asked about the comments after a summit in Reykjavik, where he had praised “data release, openness and transparency” as good for both civil liberties and for economic growth.
“That isn’t acceptable. He said: “The British government is one of the most open and transparent anywhere in the world. In fact some of the businesses that came to present here [in Iceland] from Britain exist because we opened up data from government. Not just saying come and search for information through the FOI Act, but actually opening up vast amounts of government data which has created a lot of businesses. And we’ll continue very much with that approach.”
“It is a legitimate and important tool for those who want to understand why and how government is taking decisions and it is not the intention of this government to change that.” Downing Street sources suggested the review would seek to stop third parties making money out FOI requests, rather than journalists seeking information for stories.
He was replying to Labour’s Jack Dromey, who said: “In a free society freedom of information is essential. However, Grayling’s comments are likely to worry freedom of information campaigners and the media. The Guardian used the law to uncover stories such as the Prince of Wales’s so-called “black spider letters”.
“Public bodies are public and should always be publicly accountable and the powerful must always be held to account. Earlier this year, an FOI release by the pressure group Reprieve revealed that British pilots had carried out airstrikes in Syria, marking a significant expansion of the UK’s role in the campaign against Islamic State.
“Do you therefore understand the concern being expressed in Birmingham and by the Birmingham Post and Mail over the threat now to freedom of information and will you agree to an urgent debate on what is a threat to a cornerstone of our democracy?” The Society of Editors’ executive director, Bob Satchwell, branded Grayling’s comments as ridiculous.
He said: “[The act] was designed to inform the public and that is precisely what the media do. Politicians are usually quick to proclaim their belief in freedom of the press. It is very worrying that such a senior minister seems incapable of understanding the role of the media in a democratic society. He should look at the amazing range of scandals exposed by journalists using FoI.”