The Freedom of Information Bill was today due back in the House of Commons for final discussion before becoming law.

Politicians were discussing House of Lords amendments – which the Society of Editors is condemning as not far-reaching enough.

Society director Bob Satchwell said: “The Bill talks about the public’s right to know but there are just too many exclusions to hide behind.

“Along with other campaigners we remain deeply disappointed that the Government is missing a chance to enshrine an effective and comprehensible public right to know in law.

“From now on, editors will need to get used to arguing why information should be released in the public interest when ministers and other organisations try to use exclusions built into the law to hide behind the veil of secrecy.”

He promised the Society of Editors would not step back from its campaign for openness: it has plans to lobby the new information commissioner, highlight the failings of the Bill and continue campaigning to make it work better in practice.

More on the fight for Freedom of Information is at the Society of Editors.

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