FOI at 25: Successes, Setbacks and the Road Ahead

The Centre for Journalism & Democracy, The City Law School and Department of Journalism mark the 25th anniversary of the Freedom of Information Act.

It’s a quarter of a century since this piece of legislation was enacted which gives people the right to access documents from public authorities and is a vital tool for journalists. It’s led to such explosive revelations and investigations such as the MPs’ expenses scandal

But over the years its power has been muzzled as successive governments have rejected requests for information on spurious grounds and ignored calls for it to be extended to cover housing associations and private companies delivering public services.

As the Act marks its 25th birthday, this event will celebrate its achievements, but will also assess the threats to this landmark transparency law and what can be done to counter them.

Panellists include:

Heather Brooke, journalist and author of Your Right to Know: A Citizen’s Guide to Freedom of Information

Jenna Corderoy, journalist at Democracy for Sale and visiting lecturer on the investigative journalism MA at City St George’s

Mirren Gidda, barrister at One Pump Court Chambers and former investigative journalist with the human rights organisation, Liberty

Alex Goodman KC, barrister at Landmark Chambers specialising in human rights and environmental law

The Centre for Journalism and Democracy investigates the threats facing journalism, the impact of these on civil life, and it designs interventions to help address these. The Centre partners with journalists, think tanks, NGOs, and policy–makers to explore how ethical, public interest news can be reimagined and protected for future generations.

Introducing the Centre (video)