A training programme has been launched to prepare newspapers for the Freedom of Information Act, which comes into force next year.

Cleland Thom Journalism Training Services is providing workshops, in-house training and newsroom resources in a comprehensive package to help journalists find their way round the new law.

The Act will have a significant effect on the way reporters do their jobs. It will require more than 70,000 public bodies to provide information to the press and public on demand – and refusals can be challenged.

Cleland Thom is running two training workshops – on Friday May 14 and Friday July 2 – in London. Others are planned for the autumn.

His training company is also carrying out in-house training for newspapers and magazines.

Its FoI Resource Pack – containing fact sheets and training materials on all aspects of the Act – has already sold 200 copies.

Cleland said: “The FoI will have a huge impact on the way reporters work – but many papers are completely unprepared for it.

“Our aim is to help editors and their staff be ready for when the Act comes in, rather than wait until January and wonder what to do next. A lot of it is complex and needs thorough preparation.”

For details of other CTJTS resources, and contact details for FoI training, click here.

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