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Reposted by Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland

Campaign for Freedom of Information @campaignfoi.bsky.social · 11h

📢FOI in the News!

A record number of people in the UK died while homeless in 2024.

A total of 1,611 homeless people died in the UK during the year, a 9% increase over 2023. The majority of deaths resulted from suicide or street drugs.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

UK deaths of 1,611 homeless people in 2024 is record high

Most are linked to suicide or drugs, with spice and nitazenes increasingly deadly.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland @cfoiscot.bsky.social · 10h

FoI secures the full story.

#FoISAReform25 #freedomofinformation #humanrights #scotland #foi

Reposted by Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland

Campaign for Freedom of Information @campaignfoi.bsky.social · 1d

To mark October as Black History Month, we wanted to share a handful of FOI disclosures which illustrate the experiences of Britain's Black communities.

The first – James Coombs vs the Home Office and ICO on the origins of the Windrush Scandal.

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024...

Home Office forced to release critical report on origins of Windrush scandal

Government had objected to report’s publication as it may ‘damage trust of affected communities’

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland

Scottish Information Commissioner @foi.scot · 7d

📢 Have your say! The Scottish Parliament is scrutinising the FOI Reform Bill, and they need your views – should authorities pause deadlines for clarification? Should the First Minister have a veto?
Submit your views by 22 October 2025 👇 tinyurl.com/FOIReform

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Reposted by Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland

Scottish Information Commissioner @foi.scot · 6d

True or false? 🤔 The Scottish Information Commissioner can attempt to reach an agreement between the authority and the requester before going to a Decision Notice? For the answer, visit our September edition of our #newsletter 👉 tinyurl.com/SeptFOINews
#FOI #Scotland

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Reposted by Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland

Scottish Information Commissioner @foi.scot · 6d

At last week’s SPIF event, @cfoiscot.bsky.social shared messages from around the world congratulating Scotland on 20 years of FOI! Read the messages below – and remember you can have your say on the FOI Reform Bill until 22 Oct 👉 tinyurl.com/FOIReform

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Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland @cfoiscot.bsky.social · 7d

Thanks to everyone who joined the Scottish Public Information Forum (SPIF) at the Scottish Parliament and online on Friday!

Book a ticket for the next SPIF meeting on December 1st via Eventbrite: www.eventbrite.com/e/1759807725...

#FoISAReform25 #freedomofinformation #humanrights #scotland #foi

Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland @cfoiscot.bsky.social · 8d

Journalists have the right & duty to report on local government. The public has a right to read/access their stories to form an opinion. Their rights are protected by Art 10 ECHR. Good to see public interest litigation www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... @hrcscotland.bsky.social @nujscotland.bsky.social

Nottingham Post launches legal challenge over Reform press ban

Council leader Mick Barton has not spoken to journalists from the Nottingham Post since August.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Reposted by Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland

Scottish Information Commissioner @foi.scot · 9d

On Friday we attended the Scottish Public Information Forum at the Scottish Parliament, organised by @cfoiscot.bsky.social. Speakers included @thecourier.co.uk David Clegg, @katysclark.bsky.social MSP, past SICs & current Commissioner @da.vidh.scot. We’ll be sharing highlights throughout today.

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Reposted by Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland

Sieć Obywatelska Watchdog Polska @siecobywatelska.bsky.social · 10d

Z okazji Międzynarodowego Dnia Prawa do Informacji mamy dla Was świetną rozmowę Marzeny Błaszczak z Carole Ewart z
Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland
@cfoiscot.bsky.social
Sprawdźcie, jak działa prawo do informacji w Szkocji. Polecamy! www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJSs...

O prawie do informacji w Szkocji, rozmowa z Carole Eward

YouTube video by Sieć Obywatelska Watchdog Polska

www.youtube.com

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Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland @cfoiscot.bsky.social · 10d

Today is @unesco.org's International Day for Universal Access to Information, with a focus on Environmental Information. CFoIS believes that everyone deserves timely access to environmental information.

Find out more here: www.unesco.org/en/days/univ...

#AccessToInfoDay #RightToKnow

UNESCO’s International Day for Universal Access to Information 28th September

UNESCO’s ‘International Day for Universal Access to Information’ will take place on the 28th of September and focus on ‘Ensuring Access to Environmental Information in the Digital Age’.

CFoIS believes that everyone deserves access to environmental information and that timely environmental information empowers stakeholders to act on climate change.

For more information, visit the UNESCO website.

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Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland @cfoiscot.bsky.social · 12d

Celebrating FoISA@20, excellent meeting of SPIF @davieclegg discussing news coverage before & after the enforceable right 2 information was introduced in 2005 & @katysclark.bsky.social highlighting how her members FoI Reform Bill will serve the public better. Public support helps the Bill succeed!

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Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland @cfoiscot.bsky.social · 12d

To celebrate FoISA@20, thanks to Lord Wallace for chairing a discussion with current & previous Scottish Information Commissioners-Kevin Dunion, Rosemary Agnew, Daren Fitzhenry & David Hamilton. A thoughtful and realistic assessment of enforcing rights & duties. @foi.scot @ICONews @ScotHumanRights

Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland @cfoiscot.bsky.social · 13d

Interesting point that the Scottish government’s refusal to provide screenshots of its searches for the requested info is inconsistent with its practice in other recent FOI cases. www.scottishlegal.com/articles/sco... @katysclark.bsky.social

Scottish ministers rebuked for blocking FOI on Indyref Supreme Court case

Ministers have been criticised by Scotland’s transparency watchdog for wrongly attempting to block a freedom of information (FOI) request on the lord advocate’s reference to the Supreme Co...

www.scottishlegal.com

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Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland @cfoiscot.bsky.social · 13d

Thanks to the Ferret Fact Checking Service for clear explanation of the data. theferret.scot/claim-englis...

Claim English drug deaths ‘written out of figures’ is False – The Ferret

theferret.scot

Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland @cfoiscot.bsky.social · 14d

Thanks to Sue Webber MSP of the Scottish Conservative Party for meeting with CFoIS to discuss Katy Clark’s FoI Reform Bill. We look forward to giving evidence to the SPPA committee at Stage 1 to inform its deliberations. @suejwebber @katysclark.bsky.social

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Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland @cfoiscot.bsky.social · 14d

Good to meet Graham Simpson MSP of Reform UK to discuss the FoI Reform Bill. A positive conversation about the importance of robust FoI rights to enable informed scrutiny. Thanks for your support to progress the Bill though the Scottish Parliament @grahamsmsp @katysclark.bsky.social

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Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland @cfoiscot.bsky.social · 14d

Informed citizens are essential to a greener, fairer, and thriving planet. Find out how you can get involved in UNESCO's International Day for Universal Access to Information in this post!

More information here: www.unesco.org/en/articles/...

#AccessToInfoDay #RightToKnow

Event
2025 International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI 2025) Conference
Manila, Philippines; Online
29 - 30 September

The 2025 International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI 2025), hosted by UNESCO and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines, to take place in Manila, Philippines, on 29–30 September 2025.

This year’s theme is ‘Ensuring Access to Environmental Information in the Digital Age.’

The conference will bring together high-level participants and experts from around the world to discuss:
Access to environmental information as a pillar of transparency, accountability, and sustainable development
Broader enabling conditions, including legal and digital frameworks, information integrity, and measures to address disinformation, in line with the 2030 Agenda and SDG 16.10.2.

Reposted by Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland

Human Rights Consortium Scotland @hrcscotland.bsky.social · 15d

20 years of FoI in Scotland: millions empowered, big reforms on the table. Will Scotland lead the way on transparency? Read more & have your say!

www.hrcscotland.org/news/news/ce...

@cfoiscot.bsky.social

News | Celebrating and Reforming FoI Rights in Scotland

Scotland’s Freedom of Information (FoI) rights have empowered over 1.4 million requests in 20 years, driving transparency and public trust. As the Scottish Parliament debates major reforms, this blog ...

www.hrcscotland.org

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Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland @cfoiscot.bsky.social · 16d

Freedom of Information requests show that no other care home in Scotland had more complaints upheld against it in 2024 than Castlehill. Another case highlighting why FoI law should apply to private companies delivering this public service. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Families accuse care home of 'neglect' and 'cruelty' after secret filming

A BBC Disclosure reporter saw vulnerable elderly people left sitting alone for hours in urine-soaked clothes.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland @cfoiscot.bsky.social · 16d

Thank u to NUJ Edinburgh Freelance Branch for invite 2 speak tonight on our campaign supporting the FoI Reform Bill. Good to have support of journalists who have practical experience of how the law does and does not work. @nujscotland.bsky.social @robedwards5.bsky.social @joycemcm.bsky.social

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Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland @cfoiscot.bsky.social · 19d

The Scot Parliament’s SPPA Committee is consulting on the FoI Reform Bill. They want 2 hear ur views by 22 October 2025 so a great opportunity to declare your support for better enforceable FoI rights. yourviews.parliament.scot/sppa/freedom... @foi.scot @KatySClark @nujscotland.bsky.social

Freedom of Information Reform (Scotland) Bill - Scottish Parliament - Citizen Space

Find and participate in consultations run by the Scottish Parliament

yourviews.parliament.scot

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Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland @cfoiscot.bsky.social · 19d

Have a look inside the September instalment of our newsletter!

If you want to find out more, sign up to our newsletter via the ‘Support Us’ page on our website: www.cfois.scot/support-us/

#FoISAReform25 #freedomofinformation #humanrights #scotland #foi

Information on upcoming free events
An update on the Freedom of Information Reform (Scotland) Act
Scottish Government legal challenge to Scottish Information Commissioner decision
New body designated under FoISA
Rating Scotland and UK FoI laws
FoI in Europe
FoI Globally
and more...

Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland @cfoiscot.bsky.social · 20d

Did you know that you can register to receive regular updates on Freedom of Information requests and responses?

Sign up via the @whatdotheyknow.bsky.social website: www.whatdotheyknow.com/list/success...

#FoISAReform25 #freedomofinformation #humanrights #scotland #foi

Did you know that you can get updates on Freedom of Information requests?

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Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland @cfoiscot.bsky.social · 21d

Austria enacted the Freedom of Information Act (Informationsfreiheitsgesetz or ‘IFG’) earlier this month.

Read more here: cms.law/en/aut/news-...

#FoISAReform25 #freedomofinformation #humanrights #scotland #foi

Austria enacts Freedom of Information Act

On September 1st, Austria’s Freedom of Information Act (Informationsfreiheitsgesetz or ‘IFG’) and a constitutional amendment intended to abolish official secrecy came into effect.

The IFG introduces some important changes, including:
the ability to request the disclosure of documents
introduction of a proactive publication obligation
introduction of a fundamental right to information
shortening of deadlines
no cost applications

At a time when other countries are undermining FoI rights and duties, the introduction of an FoI law by Austria is an encouraging development.

Katy Clark MSP’s Freedom of Information (Scotland) Bill provides an opportunity for Scotland to join Austria in leading the way on FoI.

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