Freedom of information in UK sinks to new low
The UK’s Freedom of Information Act is experiencing a historic decline in effectiveness, with public bodies granting only a third of requests. This sharp drop from previous years signals a systemic shift toward government secrecy, undermining the principle that transparency serves the public interest. As rejections become the norm rather than the exception, the essential mechanism for holding power accountable is eroding, creating an environment where openness is increasingly rare. This crisis is driven by widespread obstruction tactics within government departments, particularly the Cabinet Office, which frequently delays responses or ignores legal deadlines. The regulator tasked with enforcing these laws, the Information Commissioner’s Office, remains underfunded and lacks the power to impose fines on non-compliant entities. Consequently, journalists and citizens face immense barriers, often abandoning requests due to the prohibitive time and resource costs required to navigate a broken system that favors bureaucratic silence. For open data advocacy, this situation highlights the urgent need for robust legal enforcement and expanded regulatory powers. The current framework fails to protect the flow of information necessary for democratic accountability, particularly when private companies manage public services outside the Act’s remit. Strengthening the regulator’s ability to penalize repeat offenders and ensuring inclusive consultation on reforms are critical steps to restore trust and ensure that taxpayer money and decision-making processes remain visible to the public.
Source: pressgazette.co.ukPublished on 2024-01-06