conference report aubrey bodden research officer, foi unit
TRANSCRIPT
Conference Report
Aubrey Bodden
Research Officer, FOI Unit
FOI Live Programme
Recent Developments in the US The Voice of the Requestor Ministry of Justice Keynote Complaints and Appeals to the ICO and IT Reflections from Scotland for Practitioners Information Rights Interactive Key Lessons and How to Act on Them Richard Thomas Valedictory
Growth and Maturation of FOI Legislation World-Wide
There are now 75+ countries with FOI laws and many others working towards enactment
FOI legislation across the globe has grown and matured significantly over the years
New governments in the US and Australia have promised to strengthen their regimes
Freedom of Information – UK Experience & Current Trends
UK ICO has shown that there is improved transparency & accountability and a better relationship between state and citizen Knowledge of activities of public authorities and
confidence in government have gone up Public understanding has reduced impropriety
and corruption in government Contestable principles and boundaries inherent in
FOI have come to a productive balance
Freedom of Information – UK Experience & Current Trends ctd. UK has also seen a rough few months and
political fallout as a result of FOI requests Cabinet minutes on legality of War in Iraq
First use of the Executive Veto PM just announced absolute exemption for all
Cabinet Papers and Royal Communications MP Expenses “train wreck” is still unfolding
The “Scandal” Effect
Scandals are dramatically successful in getting acute attention of the public and Government
May be painful, but greater
long-term value as a deterrent Front page news stories
encourage public participation! Public opinion can be
galvanised by information
International Observations – Developing Trust in the Government
When government agencies consistently release information this builds trust There must be a balance in the public interest
Responses should give reasons for exemptions
Understanding of accountability to the public Even if the disclosure shows wrong-doing!
Officials are trying to do a good job Government will be honest with the public Admitting mistakes leads to correction/improvement
“Minister apologises for police insect injuries” – The Guardian
Not one single police officer had actually been injured by any of the protestors
Medics reported injuries such as: Toothaches Diarrhoea Cut fingers “Possible bee stings"
International Observations – Encouraging a Culture of Openness
Government should work toward presuming disclosure except in limited circumstances Custodian of information, not the owner
Exemptions do not necessarily need to be employed just because they apply or could possibly apply to the records requested
International Observations – Encouraging a Culture of Openness ctd.
FOI needs to be closely monitored in order to catch shortfalls and move to correct them More incentive to do better if statistics published
Government should work toward greater openness by providing explanations during the decision making process, not afterwards
International Problems – Common Pitfalls in Implementation
Timelines, timelines, timelines! You have 30 days, but don’t need to use them all
Overly legalistic approach or interpretation Practitioners making FOI overly-complicated
Keep it simple, don’t give yourself more work Approach FOI and its duties with common sense
Understanding what is a valid FOI request Lack of resources, support and senior buy-in
Can there be Misuse and Abuse of FOI by Applicants?
Is it an abuse of the principles of FOI to use the law for one’s own commercial gain or other advantage? No legal basis for discrimination of intentions
UK public authorities seem to be concerned about the “stupid” use of the FOI Act that wastes their time Reporters digging for anything to make a story of FOI used as a veil for complaints Individuals regularly making numerous similar requests Refusal of request as vexatious seen only a last resort
Hopes for “Better” Requestors, and How You Can Help
Public education and awareness about the aims and intentions of FOI will go a long way
Good working relationship between Information Managers & applicants
Separate the request from the requestor – your decisions require no prejudice Approach this job as “customer service”
International Experience – Requirements for Success
Communication, communication, communicationCommunication, communication, communication
Good administration and good resourcesGood administration and good resources
Compact hierarchy and delegated powersCompact hierarchy and delegated powers
Interested and engaged citizens who use this right Interested and engaged citizens who use this right properly and to good effect properly and to good effect
International Experience – Requirements for Success ctd.
Increased transparency through proactive release of information and effective publication schemes Embrace technology and utilise guidance issued
Close monitoring to catch inefficiencies and poor practice, and actually moving to correct them Incentive to do better when statistics published Chronic maladministration and bad behaviour may
need to be addressed by the ICO
International Experience – Requirements for Success ctd.
Quick and thorough responses to and active participation in internal reviews and appeals Work closely with the ICO during appeals process
High public and regulatory expectations Timelines being met and good communication Consistent disclosure of non-exempt information Good, clear explanations for everything
Remember…
Freedom of Information means nothing unless it engages the public and they use it to good effect.
“The surprise is no longer the nature and extent of disclosure. What is astonishing is how much was previously kept secret.”
– Outgoing UK Information Commissioner
Thank you!
Any questions?