Government's FoI review threatens to damage democracy, says PA

http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/nov/09/government-foi-review-pa-freedom-of-information-act

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The government’s review of the Freedom of Information Act threatens to further undermine trust in politicians and damage democracy, according to the Press Association.

In July the government appointed a commission to consider changes to the act including charges for requests, making it easier to refuse requests on cost grounds and plans to strengthen ministers’ powers to veto disclosures.

In a submission to the commission, PA said it was clear the government was trying to reduce transparency and that members of the commission had “been chosen to increase the likelihood of further restrictions being placed on” the act.

Related: Government accused of trying to water down Freedom of Information Act

Former home secretary Jack Straw, who has previously said he wants the act to be restricted, and Lord Carlisle who accused the Guardian of a “criminal act” in publishing the Snowden leaks, are both on the commission.

PA editor-in-chief Peter Clifton said the act helped the public scrutinise policy makers and had contributed to a large number of important stories that served the public interest.

He said: “We are unshakeable in our support of the Freedom of Information Act and any plan to limit its reach by extending secrecy in relation to the workings of government, extend the veto, or introduce charges would severely damage democracy.”

He said PA was particularly concerned about plans to charge for requests, which “would almost certainly deter us seeking information and limit our ability to inform the public for good”.

He added: “Under a charging system, requests, or appeals, would almost certainly deter us seeking information and limit our ability to inform the public for good, as they would for all but the wealthiest news organisations.”PA’s submission cites stories on missing sex offenders, local council abuse of anti-terrorism laws and increasing incidences of revenge porn being posted online as examples of issues which would not have come to light without the act.

It also claims the commission is an attempt by the government to circumvent constitutional principles after the supreme court overturned a government veto on the release of correspondence from Prince Charles to ministers, which followed a 10-year legal battle by the Guardian.

It says: “Changing the law to enable such a thing to happen again would be a serious incursion on the principles of both the rule of law and the separation of powers – it would introduce a divine right of ministers to echo the divine right of kings so beloved of Charles I.”

The submission echoes statements from the Society of Editors accusing the government of a “cynical and dangerous” attempt to water down the Freedom of Information Act.

The SoE has joined forces with trade publications Press Gazette and HoldtheFrontPage for a campaign called called Hands Off FoI.

Labour deputy leader Tom Watson has called for the act to be strengthened, and the party has set up a working group to examine ways it can be improved.