FOI Flashcards
What does the FOI act do?
The foi act stands for freedom of information act 2000 stands for the publics rights to have access to information from public authorities without charge but can subject to cost limits.
What does the act cover
The act covers any information that is held by a public authority in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales
Who is covered?
100,000 major and minor public authorities including:-
government departments, local authorities, state schools, NHS ,companies owned by authorities, police and fire services, Ofcom ect.
What can they request to access
Recorded information in the forms of letters or emails, documents, computer files, sound or video recordings and photographs
Who is not covered?
security and intelligence agencies, courts and tribunals, MPs and peers as individuals, charities and private prisons
How long does an FOI take?
The authorities should respond within 20 days, why you want the information should not impact their decision.
What reasons may your FOI not be approved?
the authority does not hold that information, information is except from disclosure or it is too costly exceeds the cost
What is information that has absolute exemption?
Information is reasonably accessible by other means, court records, security matters, information is exempt under law, personal information or provided in confidence from another party
What steps should a journalist take if there FOI is refused?
20 days no response/refusal
20-40 days ask for an internal review from a different individual
40+ appeal to the information commissioner
+28 days decision from the information commissioner and first tier tribunal
decision online
