How to use the Freedom of Information Act and other access laws -

ONE DAY COURSE

“Chequers guests…cardiac surgeons’ success rates…quality of school dinners…post office closures…bendy bus accidents” – all exclusive stories found and developed through the new Freedom of Information Act. You too can learn how to exploit this largely untapped source of stories.

On 1 January 2005 the Freedom of Information Act came into force affecting 100,000 public authorities and giving journalists access to millions of documents previously held secretly.

After an initial flurry of requests authorities now report a decline in interest in FOI, largely because both journalists ands the public don’t know how to use it properly.

But there are literally thousands of stories waiting to be uncovered every day. The Act covers all aspects of public life from transport and health to education and the environment.

On this intensive one-day course delegates will learn:

• When to use FOI
• Who is affected by the Act, and who’s not
• How to use Environmental Information Regulations
• How to make and send an access request
• Working around the ‘exemptions’
• What to do when it doesn’t work out
• How to use Publication Schemes and other new sources of information

On the day delegates will be given full explanatory notes, specimen letters and database of FOI contacts.

Email info@jtc.co.uk for the date of the next open course.

We can also run this important course in-house for you.

 

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