1. ‘It’s public knowledge’ Freedom of Information and the Media

2. The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 1 General Entitlement (1) A person who requests information from a Scottish public authority which holds it is entitled to be given it by the authority.

3. The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 1 General Entitlement (1) A person who requests information from a Scottish public authority which holds it is entitled to be given it by the authority.

4. The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 1 General Entitlement (1) A person who requests information from a Scottish public authority which holds it is entitled to be given it by the authority.

5. The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 1 General Entitlement (1) A person who requests information from a Scottish public authority which holds it is entitled to be given it by the authority.

6. The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 1 General Entitlement (1) A person who requests information from a Scottish public authority which holds it is entitled to be given it by the authority.

7. The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 1 General Entitlement (1) A person who requests information from a Scottish public authority which holds it is entitled to be given it by the authority.

8. Reasons for Refusal Information is not held Cost is excessive Vexatious or repeated Exemption applies

9. Tips for success Recorded information Angling not trawling Provide a time period Review decisions Keep copies Refer to the Act? Pick up the phone

10. Appealing to the Commissioner – The 3 step process 1.ASKRequest the information 2.ASK AGAINRequest that the authority reviews its decision 3.APPEALAppeal to the Commissioner

11. FOISA and the media Public authorities report large number of FOI requests from journalists; Increasing number of appeals to Commissioner are from the media; Most media FOI requests never come to us on appeal.

12. Making a difference

13. 2007 headlines * 1912 murder notes to be made public Police told to release sex case figures Secrets of £2.1 billion hospital PFI deal to be revealed Papers reveal why Stein not honoured P&J wins battle to reveal national reserve payouts Watchdog orders NHS to release Hepatitis C figures Campaign group to see key bypass documents Information appeals double the English rate * Headlines from Scottish press during 2007

14. Resources for journalists Website - area dedicated to media resources Download libraries – images, audio/video clips, logos Decision database News feeds –decisions, publications and news Exemption briefings and guidance Bi-monthly newsletter Annual Report – facts and figures 3- step guide to requesting information

15. Paul Mutch & Sue Gray  www.itspublicknowledge.info  01334 464610 @media@itspublicknowledge.info Further information