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Home > Press > Press Releases > Introduction to Freedom of Information
5th February 2004
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FreePint Asks: Who's ready for freedom of information?
The Freedom of Information Act comes into force in the UK on January
1st 2005. Everyone will then have the legal right to request access to
all types of recorded information held by public bodies. Requests can
be in any written form including email or fax, from anywhere in the
world, and must be supplied within twenty working days. A new report
published by FreePint, An Introduction to Freedom of Information by
Paul Pedley explains in plain language the key workings of the act and
dispels some myths. It is available to purchase priced GBP25
online from <http://www.freepint.com/shop/report/>.
The report reveals that according to Stationery Office research
commissioned in 2003, almost a third of UK Government departments do
not know even know what the deadline for freedom of information
compliance is. This is despite warnings from Richard Thomas, the UK
Information commissioner to public bodies last May to get their act
together, and prepare now - not panic later.
An Introduction to Freedom of Information by Paul Pedley covers such
areas such as the rights of applicants, fees and charges, records
management, complaints procedures and copyright and freedom of
information. It also looks at the interface between data protection
and freedom of information, and the implications for businesses.
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Competitive intelligence
Private sector businesses as well as those in the public sector will
need to be prepared, and the report examines implications of the Act
on the field of competitive intelligence. This aspect is not often
explained, but Pedley examines some contractual risk areas for
businesses. Companies for example often have reverse freedom of
information requests run to see who has collected information within a
Government entity about their company. "Businesses need to think about
the information that their competitors may be able to gain about their
business activities from information they have shared with public
authorities" says Pedley.
Records management critical
One of the critical success factors in the introduction of freedom of
information includes good record keeping and the importance of
electronic management systems. The report highlights an important role
for information professionals in records management. Knowing what
information is held, and where, and the development of proper
retention and archiving policies - a policy for the retention of
emails is one example. "Records management can exist without freedom
of information but freedom of information cannot exist without records
management." according to the National Archives Journal "Records
Management News"
An Introduction to Freedom of Information by Paul Pedley directs
people to how freedom of information requests have been handled in
other countries. The report also points to a searchable database of
previous examples of requests. Understanding the exemptions that are
allowed, and what is permissible under the public interest is crucial.
Public authorities have to consider whether the public interest in
maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing
the information and this aspect of the law is explained in detail.
Notes for Editors
An Introduction to Freedom of Information. Paul Pedley. FreePint
2004. Is available for purchase and immediate delivery online priced
GBP25 from .
If you would like to review An Introduction to Freedom of Information
ISBN 1-904769-03-9 please contact Annabel Colley for a press copy
<annabel.colley@freepint.com> or call 07730 972733.
Paul Pedley
Head of Research at the Economist Intelligence Unit, and editor of
KeepingLegal.com, a service covering daily updates on legal issues
such as Copyright, data protection, and freedom of information.
Paul is the author of many books including, Essential Law for
Information Professionals, The Invisible Web: Searching the Hidden
Parts of the Internet and Copyright for Library and Information. He
is fellow of CILIP (The Chartered Institute of Library and
Information Professionals) He also runs training on copyright, data
protection and freedom of information and on business information on
the Web. He has worked in Information Management for Law firm Theodore
Goddard, and for the DTI and OFTEL.
FreePint
Established in 1997 and now with more than 65,000 subscribers
Worldwide, FreePint is the largest community of information searchers
in the world. It grows by 1,000 new subscribers every month. FreePint
is a free email newsletter, Web portal and online discussion area (the
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PRESS CONTACT: Annabel Colley. To set up interviews with FreePint
Managing Editor William Hann or Paul Pedley contact Annabel Colley,
email <annabel.colley@freepint.com> or call 07730 972733.
Useful Addresses
http://www.freepint.com
http://www.Willco.com
http://www.vivaVIP.com
http://www.DigBig.com
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