Editors' body adds its weight to calls for action over proposed FOI changes
Letter to minister says proposals are “fundamentally flawed” and undermine the ideas behind legislation
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.
Two-month FOI investigation reveals schools' £1-per-head sports spend
Low-level investment uncovered by reporter who quizzed 279 schools
Blair bows to media pressure on FOI consultation
Prime Minister promises to “listen carefully” to press concerns on proposed changes
'Public confidence in the authorities up thanks to FOI' – survey
New research reveals encouraging position for Information Commissioner’s office
Untold story of riots revealed after Chronicle's FOI probe
Revelations uncovered by trawl through official papers on troubled estate
Belfast paper wins FOI case after five-month battle
“We will not simply stand aside when important information of great public interest is withheld”
Evening Times lifts lid on city crime with in-depth investigation
Two-week series will look at number and type of crimes in 232 police beats
MPs show concern over proposals to change FOI charging rules
Early Day Motion is signed by more than 80 MPs
Govt quango held to account by FOI inquiry
Political editor discovers how £10m was spent on offices – but only eight new businesses have moved in
Student wins front page FOI scoop during work experience stint
Editor praises wannabe journalist who submitted request out of curiosity
News Shopper reveals hotel bills of debt-ridden hospital
Details were made public thanks to an anonymous tip off and “powerful tool” of the FOI Act
Regional papers making good use of FOI, report shows
Campaign for Freedom of Information looks at how new Act is used to unearth a wide variety of stories
FOI investigation shows regional jobs pledge is a 'sham'
Government has “major catching up to do” over Whitehall jobs earmarked for move, says Post
Concerns voiced over possible change to FOI charging rules
“Leaked” changes could trigger more refusals from the authorities
Messenger runs second FOI probe on politicians' foreign trips
Cost to taxpayers exposed as political editor revisits happy hunting ground for stories
Police force must reveal company cars cost after FOI blunders
Paper’s request for information is upheld by the Scottish Information Commissioner