Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland

Since 1984 CFoIS has campaigned for a robust legal right to access information so people can find out how they are governed and how 'public' services operate.

[David Hamilton 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇦 @DvdHmltn]

If Public Authorities don’t comply with FOI law then there will be consequences….
@FOIScotland

https://t.co/14wqfbIbDR

[Scottish Information Commissioner @FOIScotland]

We have begun the process of referring NHS Highland to the Court of Session, following its failure to meet a disclosure timescale set out in a recent FOI decision.
Read more: https://t.co/zjiCYKAni5

[Scottish Information Commissioner @FOIScotland]

🏆 Nominations are now open for the 2027 eCase FOI Awards. Celebrate outstanding FOI practitioners, teams, performers and rising stars from across the UK. Find out more in our latest newsletter: https://t.co/vUTUpKttgh

[Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland @CFoIScot]

CFoIS reports on a significant Scottish case which upholds the powers of the Scottish Information Commissioner and makes FoI effective – independent legal enforcement of the public’s right and public bodies’ duties. @NUJScotland @Access_Info https://t.co/YhIDq2MO9u

[Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland @CFoIScot]

Decision affirms the Commissioner correctly understood his role 2 decide if Ministers’ were entitled 2 withhold info & now requires him 2 reconsider the requests given the 2022’Murray’ decision. Suggests a more expansive approach 2 appeal process which necessitates more funding.

[Scottish Information Commissioner @FOIScotland]

The Commissioner welcomes the clarification offered by today’s Court of Session opinion. Read the Commissioner’s full statement here: https://t.co/6bcDOlxI1x

[NUJ @NUJofficial]

The NUJ will always defend the right of bona-fide newsgatherers to do their jobs without fear or obstruction.

Members covering protests and other public order events can find useful advice and emergency contacts on our website ⬇

https://t.co/3rgKFzbGRW

[Scottish Information Commissioner @FOIScotland]

The Commissioner welcomes the clarification offered by today’s Court of Session opinion. Read the Commissioner’s full statement here: https://t.co/6bcDOlxI1x

[Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland @CFoIScot]

Public interest journalism secures Transparency win as NHS Fife forced 2 release info it tried 2 keep secret. FoI law only powerful due to independent, robust enforcement and this case shows some public bodies still can’t get the legal basics right due to its culture & practice.

[The Courier @thecourieruk]

NHS Fife revelations ‘highly relevant’ to future Sandie Peggie case https://t.co/E6JYBDA9c3

[Watchdog Polska @SiecObywatelska]

Od lipca aktywiści i dziennikarze mają nowe narzędzie chroniące ich przed procesami, których jedynym celem jest zakneblowanie krytyki i zastraszenie (tzw. SLAPP). W takich sytuacjach sąd może szybko odrzucić pozew cywilny.

Pojawia się jednak inny problem. Ten sam podmiot wciąż może pójść do sądu karnego z art. 212 Kodeksu karnego (zniesławienie). A w postępowaniu karnym przepisy anty-SLAPP po prostu nie działają.

Co o tej luce i pilnej potrzebie zmian w prawie mówili uczestnicy konferencji „Czas na dekryminalizację zniesławienia. Wolność słowa, debata publiczna i reforma art. 212 k.k.”? Relacja na naszej stronie: https://t.co/M5jfasfJry

[Scottish Information Commissioner @FOIScotland]

Answers to yesterday's quiz
Which of these can you ask for under FOI?
A. How much a council spent on Christmas lights ✅
B. Your neighbour's council tax bill ❌
C. The number of pothole complaints received ✅
D. A staff member's medical records ❌
Did you spot the traitors?

[Watchdog Polska @SiecObywatelska]

Końcówka grudnia 2024 r. CBA organizuje konferencję „Oświadczenia majątkowe – unifikacja, cyfryzacja, kontrola” i przedstawia propozycje zmiany ustaw – jeden elektroniczny formularz, centralny rejestr i koniec z dziesiątkami rozproszonych wzorów.

Wrzesień 2025 r. Prace nad projektem przejmuje minister koordynator służb specjalnych oraz KPRM. Pytamy o projekt ustawy i jego losy. CBA odpowiada, że przygotowało dokument, ale traktuje go jako dokument wewnętrzny i go nie udostępni.

Złożyliśmy skargę na bezczynność. Dziś na posiedzeniu niejawnym sąd ją oddalił. Nie odpuszczamy. Damy Wam znać więcej, gdy poznamy uzasadnienie.

O założeniach ustawy pisaliśmy na: https://t.co/bvOCqPYctS

[Scottish Information Commissioner @FOIScotland]

Spot the Traitor...
Which of these can you ask for under FOI?
A. How much a council spent on Christmas lights
B. Your neighbour's council tax bill
C. The number of pothole complaints received
D. A staff member's medical records
Answers revealed at breakfast tomorrow...

[David Hamilton 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇦 @DvdHmltn]

And of course AI featured heavily and my musings on how we can turn AI to a force for good got some real interest... prompt templates, AI models and a bedfellow to a new approach for proactive publication especially in a world of misinformation/disinformation.
More to come (5/5)

[David Hamilton 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇦 @DvdHmltn]

Differences too- the fees regime is seen as essential in Ireland to control demand. Free for a request, €30 Euros for a review and €50 for a Commissioner Appeal. There was suprise when I explained no appetite for that in Scotland (2/x)

[David Hamilton 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇦 @DvdHmltn]

Really useful insights at the Irish National FOI conference in Kilkenny. Delighted to open the conference and hear from FOI professionals in Ireland.
Lots of common themes- eg volume, proactive publication (or lack of!), AI challenges and a need for legislative updates (1/x)

[Cllr Fiona Higgins @Fiona_Higgins_]

"I have the gravest concerns that the Standards Commission is not acting compatibly with the law of free speech in the UK. I do not know if this is because it does not understand the law or if it understands it perfectly well but for some reason declines to apply it." -Prof Tomkins, Constitutional Law @heraldscotland
@UofGlasgow

https://t.co/67ZU41Oa5v

[David Hamilton 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇦 @DvdHmltn]

Mis information and disinformation- a hot topic around the globe and a growing risk to society.
At an international conference of Information Commissioners last week we agreed that this is where proactive publication by Authorities becomes essential.

https://t.co/WLTGv4RMPs

[Scottish Information Commissioner @FOIScotland]

We believe that info should be accessible to everyone, so accessible communication matters!
We encourage public bodies, charities and support organisations to share our BSL videos and Easy Read resources with the people they support.
https://t.co/0iXnvjyS8H
#Accessibility

[Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland @CFoIScot]

Thanx 2 Graeme Johnson for chairing ‘AI-Asset or liability for FoI?’ Reassuring to hear researchers, public bodies & regulators are focused on managing AI & crafting fair & practical solutions to ensure FoI rights thrive & duties delivered. @benworthy1 @scotgov and @FOIScotland

[Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland @CFoIScot]

CFoIS writes for SLN on why it’s important to promote the right to know @NUJScotland @unisonscot
https://t.co/XPAWwSLO61