Freedom of information isn’t working

This article highlights the urgent need to modernize Freedom of Information (FOI) laws in Scotland to ensure transparency extends to all entities delivering public services. The author argues that current loopholes allow privatized organizations and outsourced third-sector providers to evade scrutiny, undermining democratic accountability. By proposing a legislative reform to close these gaps, the bill aims to align legal obligations with public funding, ensuring that taxpayers can access information regardless of who delivers the service. The piece emphasizes that relying on voluntary disclosure or limited consultations is insufficient for maintaining trust in governance. Many private firms, particularly in critical sectors like care, profit from exemptions that prevent public oversight, creating significant inequities for vulnerable citizens. The author contends that this systemic opacity is a direct consequence of market-oriented restructuring that prioritizes shareholder value over public right-to-know principles. This issue is vital to open data because it addresses the fundamental integrity of public sector information. True open data requires that all entities handling public resources are subject to the same disclosure standards. Without legal mandates covering outsourced and private providers, the dataset of public governance remains fragmented and incomplete, hindering meaningful civic engagement and effective oversight of how public funds are utilized.

Source: morningstaronline.co.uk
Published on 2023-12-13

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