Scottish FOI Act could be applied to more organisations

Posted by Martin Stabe on 30 June 2008 at 09:40
Tags: Broadcast, Freedom of Information, National Newspapers, New Media, Regional Newspapers

Journalists in Scotland could get the chance to file Freedom of Information Act requests to a wider range of bodies.

Scottish ministers are considering extending the scope of the Scottish version of the FOI Act, which applies to public bodies in Scotland, BBC News reports.

Housing associations, private finance projects and private prisons are among a number of new organsiations that could become subject to the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act.

The UK-wide Freedom of Information Act 2000 can also be extended to further public bodies.

The Government held a consultation on extending the list of bodies subject requests filed under the Act earlier this year.

As part of that process, the Campaign For Freedom of Information called for voluntary organisations and private bodies that perform public functions, such as academy schools, housing associations, new deal communities partnerships and local strategic partnerships — to be added to the list of bodies subject to the Act.

Tags: Broadcast, Freedom of Information, National Newspapers, New Media, Regional Newspapers