freedom of information


Also found in: Acronyms, Wikipedia.

freedom of information

laws which permit citizens to obtain information held by government. The UK first admitted the principle by virtue of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The legislation gives the right to request information from public authorities. It is intended to promote a culture of openness and accountability amongst public sector bodies, and facilitate better public understanding of how public authorities carry out their duties, why they make the decisions they do, and how they spend public money. It is achieved in two main ways. First, bodies subject to the scheme should initiate publication schemes to release information without being asked. Secondly, bodies subject to the scheme must respond to requests from persons in writing or other permanent form. A fee maybe charged. There is an obvious conflict with DATA PROTECTION law, but in the UK such problems may be resolved by the fact that the INFORMATION COMMISSIONER has been made responsible for both freedom of information and data protection.
Collins Dictionary of Law © W.J. Stewart, 2006
Mentioned in ?
References in periodicals archive ?
'Freedom of information will require us to completely transform how we do things in the public service so that you cannot write anything in cursive on file, because if you do, it can completely compromise the ability of the individuals who have to provide that information to actually get it out and get it to you,' Marshall said, noting some minutes from meetings could be four to five pages long.
BARBADOS-RIGHTS-Barbados government still in favour of Freedom of Information legislation
Daren Fitzhenry, the Scottish Information Commissioner (SIC), who promotes and enforces freedom of information laws, refused to confirm or deny if any workers had been asked to sign controversial non-disclosure agreements.
Freedom of information chief: We can't tell you how many staff we gag; ANTI-SECRECY WATCHDOGS STAY SHTUM
The order has its limits, however, and it was not complemented by legislation, with even the President's super majority in the 17th Congress sitting on the Freedom of Information bill.
EDITORIAL - Waiting for FOI
"Government offices under the Executive Branch, including Government-Owned and/or -Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) and State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) are all required to disclose information, official records, public records, and documents and papers pertaining to official acts, transactions, or decisions - as well as government research data used as basis for policy development (Frequently Asked Questions - Freedom of Information)."
Freedom of Information: Our Battle for Democracy
A submission has been made to the public audit and post-legislative scrutiny committee, which is examining the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.
FOI CHANGES NEEDED TO STOP PUBLIC BEING 'KEPT IN THE DARK'
"The Freedom of Information Officer's Handbook" by Paul Gibbons is a comprehensive guide to FOI and its management.
The Freedom of Information Officer's Handbook
Government should replace freedom of information Act 2005 with an effective and robust right to information law.
Right to information law in Balochistan
The memorandum stated that an inter-agency freedom of information policy exceptions committee was created 'to review the inventory of exceptions under EO No.
Duterte creates committee to review FOI exceptions in executive branch
'Last month, the Minister had directed the NNPC, Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF) and Directorate of Petroleum Resources to supply the information requested by me under the Freedom of Information Act.
DPR finally complies with FoI, releases documents on fuel subsidy, importation
Selebi Phikwe West MP, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse had asked the minister to explain what had been done since government had promised to start the process to enact the freedom of information law.
Draft Information Bill in place
There have been attempts over the years to weaken, or even kill, the Freedom of Information Act - which has often resulted in information being made public that was embarrassing to people in power.
Happy 51st birthday, FOIA

Legal browser ?
Full browser ?