Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
More than 70 leading organisations have called on the government to scrap proposed changes that will restrict the Freedom of Information Act.
The letter from leading campaign groups, press organisations and more has been issued as an international summit on open government is held in London today.
Last year the government announced that it was considering making it easier for public authorities to refuse FOI requests on cost grounds. These proposals are still being considered.
It follows the Information Commissioner, who is responsible for the Act, calling for open data not to replace Freedom of Information in any way.
The letter says:
“Many requests of substantial public interest would be refused under these proposals regardless of the benefits of disclosure. They would have a severe effect on the operation of the FOI Act.”
“We find it difficult to reconcile the commitment to become the world leader in openness with the government’s proposals to restrict the FOI Act, which is a critical element of the UK’s openness arrangements. Many requests of substantial public interest would be refused under these proposals regardless of the benefits of disclosure. We hope that the government will mark that commitment by announcing that it will not be bringing forward proposals to restrict the Act.”
