Press Gazette is campaigning against Government proposals to place drastic curbs on the Freedom of Information Act.
We have interviewed Baroness Aston, the minister with responsibility for Freedom of Information, and she assured us that the Freedom of Information and Data Protection Regulations would not be forced through.
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THE PETITION
We, the undersigned, urge the Government not to undermine the effectiveness of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 by passing into law the Freedom of Information and Data Protection (Appropriate Limit and Fees) Regulations 2007.
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According to the Government’s own independent review, the proposed changes will result in more than 17,000 FoI questions a year being rejected by local, regional and national public bodies on purely financial grounds, irrespective of the public interest.
We are particularly concerned that the rule changes will, according to the independent review, have a disproportionate effect on journalists and therefore undermine the vital role they play in British democracy.
To sign the petition, email your name, job title and the organisation you work for to: dontkillfoi@wilmington.co.uk. (email addresses will be treated confidentially)
To respond to the consultation write to:
Department for Constitutional Affairs
Information Rights Division
6.16 Selbourne House
54-60 Victoria Street
London SW1E 6QW.
(Remember to include your name, address, job title, the name of your organisation and whether or not you require acknowledgment of your response.)
Links from previous weeks:
- Analysis shows FoI fees proposals will cost more than they will save
- New Statesman backs FoI campaign
- Building journalists oppose further FoI 'loopholes'
- Incisive Media 'very opposed' to FoI restrictions
- Torquay Herald Express editor urges mayors to oppose FoI curbs
- National newspaper editors join the campaign to save Freedom of Information
- Cross-party motion highlights MPs' concern over FoI proposal
- Baroness Ashton: We're not targeting journalists with FoI changes
- BBC is 'entirely opposed' to FoI changes
- ITV West Country: 'This amendment is a complete disgrace'
- Five Live's body parts FoI victory
- Putting FoI to use in the BBC regions
- Channel 4: FoI should be more open
- Devon MPs back FoI campaign
- Newspaper Society: Our FoI rights are being sabotaged
- Regional round-up: Using FoI across Britain
- Northern Echo: Readers should write to their MPs
- Eastern Daily Press: It's our duty to defend FoI
- Maurice Frankel: director of the Campaign for Freedom of Information on why we need to act now to protect our right to know
- The story so far: an FoI timeline
Links to supporters of the campaign:
Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog
