Chief reporter wins access to financial dealings despite failed FOI request
“FOI Act not the only way of wringing details out of councils”
Press Freedom
Local journalists across the UK are striking blows for press freedom on a daily basis, whether by challenging wrongly-imposed reporting restrictions in court cases, tabling freedom of information requests to public bodies, or generally seeking to uncover information about how we are governed.
On this page you will find an index of all the stories we have carried about regional press newspapers, websites and journalists who have stood up for the public’s right to know.
Police overtime bill uncovered by FOI request
Political editor uses information tool to find the real cost of the scramble for election votes
MEN left wanting more after test on new FOI laws
Authorities failed to fully answer questions in eight out of 15 cases
FoI success for North East weekly
“Democracy is best served by openness and disclosure” – editor
Cost of council trips abroad revealed after newspaper's FOI probe
New laws help political journalist discover where taxpayers money is being spent
Home Office supplies FOI answer within two hours
North East paper ready to claim record after prison’s ‘commercial secrets’ are revealed
Political editor puts FOI Act to the test
Compare Post man’s results with your own efforts to scour official records
FOI Act helps news group keep check on Government quango spending
Political editor reveals how much public money is spent on corporate hospitality and entertainment
FOI FAQ
How it operates and how to use it – we answer your questions here
News group puts FOI to the test
Facts and figures revealed – but council holds back on car parking issue
Journalists make 2,000 FOI requests
Lord Falconer says new system has “sown the seeds of cultural change”
New users' guide to information laws
Campaign for Freedom of Information launches new ‘how to’ guide
Papers reveal behind-the-scenes news thanks to FOI
Regional titles get results from questions they could never before ask
Commons motion praises Gazette's FOI probe
Chief reporter puts new laws to good use to investigate property deal
Freedom of Information- a brief guide
Fight for openness was supported by journalism bodies
'No sympathy' for bodies which fail to meet the law
Excuses from public bodies “will not wash”