Website reviews

Reviews of sites concerned with freedom of information

The Journal, January 2005, page 42

Information Commissioner

www.informationcom missioner.gov.uk

The website of the (UK) Information Commissioner is the source of much useful information (which is as you might expect). As well as dealing with freedom of information, the Commissioner has responsibility for data protection, privacy and electronic communications and environmental information regulations.

The front page is dominated by icons which take you to mini-movies explaining the basics of various aspects of the Commissioner’s work. These loaded quickly and worked without delay, even on my sluggish dial-up connection. They also trod the right line between engaging and informative.

The site manages to remain topical and up-to-date. For example, the front page when I visited was displaying links to the Commissioner’s (not at all favourable) views on the government’s proposals for identity cards, and simple, commonsense guidance on the use of video cameras etc at school plays – which  seems to be constantly in the news.

It’s not all guidance and animation, though. The site has a wealth of legal sources and online function as well. For example, you can register or notify for data protection purposes online, browse the public register of data controllers or access approved publication schemes.

As far as freedom of information goes, you can access the Act itself and its associated regulations, as well as an update on fees which may be charged for access to information and an implementation timetable. You can also download the Access Code of Practice and the Records Management Code of Practice, both of which are key documents in this area. Model publication schemes are available, as is advice on bespoke schemes.

Some of the information so accessed is actually hosted on the Department of Constitutional Affairs’ FOI pages (www.dca.gov.uk /foi), which are also worth visiting. A downloadable two page Word document  lists the absolute and qualified exemptions – with section numbers.

Often, you will see the link “our view” on this site, and it is usually worth following. If you do so, you find the Commissioner’s comments on legislation, or criticisms of areas of practice which impact on people’s information rights.

Scottish Information Commissioner

www.itspublicknowledge.info

First of all, hats off to whoever it was who came up with the website address. An inventive use of the .info domain, and memorable too. The Scottish Information Commissioner (SIC) has responsibility for the Scottish schemes for freedom of information and environmental information. The website, while admittedly having somewhat less to do than its UK counterpart, does it rather better.

The site itself seems less cluttered and better organised, the navigation easier to operate and information easier to find and to access. The content itself is quite similar: access to the legislation, codes of practice, guidance and advice on publication schemes. However, you can also find briefings from the SIC on various aspects of the legislation. There are four at present, dealing with: information for future publication, formulation of policy, confidentiality, and court records, with more promised soon.

You can also read the Commissioner’s decision on Nicola Sturgeon’s complaint about the Scottish Prison Service and its refusal to reveal certain details of its contract with Reliance. The SPS is cleared of a breach of the code (which precedes the Act), but this fascinating insight into the resolution of complaints by the SIC makes it clear that it is hardly good practice to insist on such things being kept a secret.

Scottish Executive Freedom of Information Pages

www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/FOI

The Scottish Executive, prior to the coming into force of the 2002 Act, produced a non-statutory code for dealing with requests for information. That code can still be found online, alongside many other useful resources. These resources include the Executive’s own publication scheme; training materials for use by public authorities in staff training; minutes from the Scottish FOI Implementation Group, and details of the Executive’s public records strategy.

Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland

www.cfoi.org.uk/scotland.html

It may surprise some readers that the Campaign has not now packed its bags and headed home for a well deserved rest, having seen both Scotland and the UK implement FOI legislation. However, it seems that CFOI in Scotland is not so easily pleased. The site continues to be updated with information on the latest developments and the Campaign’s views on same. Bookmark this site and check for updates periodically.