Waiting time
Parliament returns next week after the recess, and the FOI community is awaiting an announcement from the government on any changes to the rules on charging for freedom of information requests.
We can certainly expect some MPs who are worried about various proposals that have been considered to organise against them, supported by the Campaign for Freedom of Information. As the Commons has been in recess since these ideas surfaced at the end of July, next week is the first opportunity for the MPs involved to really mobilise opinion.
Last month Tony Blair concluded his interview on Sunday AM by itemising freedom of information as one of the goverment's changes which reduced cynicism and increased trust in politics. If true, this clearly won't be boosted by any changes which hinder access to information.
The practical impact of any changes will depend on their nature - the possibilities most often mooted vary from ones which would generate bad publicity but make little real difference to ones that would generate worse publicity but cut the administrative burden of FOI while dramatically reducing FOI requests from those least able to pay.
The BBC clearly has an interest in all of this - in fact, a unique one as an organisation which both makes and responds to a large number of FOI requests. As indicated in its evidence to the Commons Constitutional Affairs Committee earlier this year, the BBC position is opposition to increased charges.
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