Yesterday was Anti-SLAPP Day of Action
No matter your role - journalist, researcher, campaigner, survivor, or whistleblower - you should be protected when speaking in the public interest
We are calling for universal protections against SLAPPs. Take action: antislapp.uk/solutions/ta...
#StopSLAPPs
Text reads: NEWSLETTER Do you want to get news stories about transparency and accountability straight to your inbox? CFoIS
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Sign up to our newsletter here: www.cfois.scot/support-us/
#freedomofinformation #accesstoinformation #humanrights #scotland #foi
Text reads: NEWSLETTER Do you want to find out more about Freedom of Information in Europe? CFoIS
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Do you want to find out more about Freedom of Information in Europe?
Sign up to our newsletter here: www.cfois.scot/support-us/
#freedomofinformation #accesstoinformation #humanrights #scotland #foi
Text reads: MARCH NEWSLETTER INSIDE THE LATEST INSTALMENT OF OUR NEWSLETTER CFoIS
Text reads: Stage 1 of the Freedom of Information Reform (Scotland) Bill Update Scottish Government consultation on extending FoI to the care sector deadline Scottish Government's Hamilton Inquiry case handling criticised by the Independent Regulator Scottish FoI practitioners win at eCase Awards 2026 FoI in Europe and more... CFoIS
Have a look inside the March instalment of our newsletter!
If you want to find out more, sign up to our newsletter here: www.cfois.scot/support-us/
#freedomofinformation #accesstoinformation #humanrights #scotland #foi
Text reads: New FoI code of practice published Photo shows documents
Text reads: On the 25th of March, a new Code of Practice relating to Freedom of Information practice was published. It provides updated and improved guidance on public bodies compliance with the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FoISA). The new guidance can help requestors to formulate their requests, as well as assist FoI practitioners when responding to requests. CFoIS
Text reads: The new code includes updated guidance on: responsibility for FOI within an authority; proactively publishing information; the provision of advice and assistance by authorities to people who propose to make, or have made, requests for information; responding to requests; handling a request for information; training and staffing arrangements; records management and searching for information; transferring requests to other authorities; CFoIS
Text reads: consulting third parties to whom information requested relates, or people whose interests are likely to be affected by the disclosure of such information; the disclosure of contractual and procurement-related information; responding to reviews; monitoring compliance, collecting and recording statistics about request handling; and appeals to the Commissioner. CFoIS
A new Code of Practice relating to Freedom of Information was published yesterday.
Read the Code here: www.gov.scot/publications...
#freedomofinformation #accesstoinformation #politics #scotland #foi
@holyroodmag.bsky.social @heraldscotland.bsky.social @scotsman.com @scotnational.bsky.social @stv.news @bbcscotlandnewsnot.bsky.social
Text reads: Secret Scotland Will the Scottish Government face another court case over FoI non-compliance? CFoIS Graphic shows a redacted document
Text reads: The Scottish Information Commissioner has said that he is considering a second contempt of court case over the Scottish Government’s handling of an FoI request related to the Hamilton Inquiry. At First Minister’s Questions on 19th March 2026, Katy Clark MSP asked FM John Swinney if he will commit to providing all the information required under decision notice 193/2024 and sought reassurance that he is not considering using the First Minister’s veto, under s52 of FoISA, to keep the information secret from the public.
Text reads: The First Minister avoided answering whether or not he will use the Ministerial veto, a power which has not been used since FoISA came into effect in 2005. Katy Clark MSP’s Freedom of Information Reform (Scotland) Bill, introduced to Parliament in June 2025, seeks to remove the First Minister’s veto power, a provision that the SPPA Committee’s Stage 1 Report supported. The Bill passed Stage 1 and is set to return in the next session of Parliament.
Text reads: CFoIS encourages everyone to support the Freedom of Information Reform (Scotland) Bill at Stages 2 and 3 in the new session of Parliament, after the 7th of May, and promises to raise these and other issues as the Bill progresses. These kind of problems simply strengthen the case that FoISA needs reformed urgently to close legal loopholes and strengthen the enforcement powers of the independent Commissioner.
Will the Scottish Government face another court case over FoI non-compliance? Read the Scottish Information Commissioner’s full statement at www.foi.scot/preposterous...
#FoIReformNow #secretscotland #freedomofinformation #foi #accesstoinformation
Almost all of the most viral posts reviewed by WIRED on Saturday came from accounts with blue check marks, meaning they pay X for its premium service and could be eligible to earn money based on how much engagement their posts generate, even if the content is false
🎙️Listen to CFOI Director Maurice Frankel OBE on the latest episode of the Guardians of Data Podcast, discussing the remarkable story behind the UK’s FOI Act
Do not miss previous podcasts with the excellent @jonbainesdata.bsky.social and @lynnwyeth.bsky.social!
actnowtraining.blog/2026/03/04/g...
Tonight the general principles of Katy Clark MSP's FoI Reform Bill were supported by 63 MSPs with 59 against. The Bill will return in the next session of Parliament. CFoIS accepts the challenge to work for its quick progression to restore FoI rights and strengthen enforcement of duties.
Scot Parl has voted for the general principles of Katy Clark MSP's FoI Reform Bill but amended by @suewebbermsp.bsky.social to 'highlight the time pressure in the current parliamentary session and the views in the stage 1 report, including that FoI reform should be addressed in the next parliament'
Thank you to @suewebbermsp.bsky.social and Annie Wells MSP for agreeing that legislation is needed to reform FoI law in Scotland and their support going forward to make that happen.
Thanks to Katy Clark MSP & @richardleonardmsp.bsky.social for setting out clearly the reasons for, & urgency, of FoI reform. Thanks also to @jamiegreeneuk.bsky.social @patrickharvie.bsky.social & Graham Simpson MSP for supporting the FoI Bill's general principles. We await the vote tonight at 7:30.
@mrosenbaum.bsky.social
@cosla.gov.uk @solacescotland.bsky.social @gmbscotland.bsky.social @crossreach.bsky.social @carerscoalition.bsky.social
@fbunational.bsky.social @unitetheunion.bsky.social @hackedoff.bsky.social @cwunews.bsky.social @siecobywatelska.bsky.social
@hrcscotland.bsky.social @aslefunion.bsky.social @law-democracy.bsky.social @cwunews.bsky.social @transparencyuk.bsky.social @alliancescot.bsky.social @scottishtuc.bsky.social @rmtunion.bsky.social @mysociety.org
Text reads: Support the Freedom of Information Reform (Scotland) Bill Photo shows CFoIS Director Carole Ewart and Katy Clark MSP at the Scottish Parliament
Text reads: The Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee concluded in its Stage 1 report on the Freedom of Information Reform (Scotland) Bill that “legislation is now needed to update the freedom of information regime in Scotland.” MSPs should show their support for this conclusion by voting for the Bill at Stage 1 and send a clear message that strong FoI rights and duties matter.
The SPPA Committee concluded in its Stage 1 report that “legislation is now needed to update the freedom of information regime in Scotland.”
MSPs should show their support by voting for the Bill at Stage 1 and send a clear message that strong FoI rights and duties matter.
#FoIReformNow
@fbunational.bsky.social @unitetheunion.bsky.social @hackedoff.bsky.social @law-democracy.bsky.social @cwunews.bsky.social
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CFoIS calls for the enforceable right to Freedom of Information to be strengthened through legislative reform. Ahead of tomorrow's crucial vote on the FoI Reform Bill, 17th Feb, this is an opportunity to send a clear message for greater transparency and accountability to enable scrutiny.
@fbunational.bsky.social @unitetheunion.bsky.social @hackedoff.bsky.social
@hrcscotland.bsky.social @aslefunion.bsky.social @law-democracy.bsky.social @cwunews.bsky.social @transparencyuk.bsky.social @alliancescot.bsky.social @scottishtuc.bsky.social @rmtunion.bsky.social @mysociety.org
@fbunational.bsky.social @unitetheunion.bsky.social @hackedoff.bsky.social
@hrcscotland.bsky.social @aslefunion.bsky.social @law-democracy.bsky.social @cwunews.bsky.social @transparencyuk.bsky.social @alliancescot.bsky.social @scottishtuc.bsky.social @rmtunion.bsky.social @mysociety.org
Text reads: FoI Reform proves popular “The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 came into effect at the beginning of 2005. It provided rights to see information held by public bodies, such as the Scottish Government and local councils. It was a huge innovation at the time. However, I believe that time has moved on and those rights need to catch up with the world we live in now.” - Dr Derek Manson Smith, Treasurer, the Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland
CFoIS Treasurer Dr Derek Manson Smith tells us why he backs the FoI Reform (Scotland) Bill.
#FoIReformNow #freedomofinformation #foi #accesstoinformation #ati
Text reads: “FOI, introduced over 20 years ago, was an important milestone in the new Scottish Parliament. FOI was, and remains, consistent with founding principles of the Scottish Parliament: openness, accessibility and accountability. Change has occurred since; however, we need to make sure that FOI keeps up and ensure all those, including contractors, involved in delivering public services are also accountable to FOI. CWU fully supports Katy Clark’s updated legislation and hopes that the Parliament does too.” - Communications Workers Union (CWU)
The Communications Workers Union (CWU) sets out why the FoI Reform (Scotland) Bill is the best vehicle for updating FoI laws!
@cwunews.bsky.social
#FoIReformNow #freedomofinformation #foi #accesstoinformation #ati
@hrcscotland.bsky.social @aslefunion.bsky.social @law-democracy.bsky.social @cwunews.bsky.social @transparencyuk.bsky.social @alliancescot.bsky.social @scottishtuc.bsky.social @rmtunion.bsky.social @mysociety.org @fbunational.bsky.social
@hrcscotland.bsky.social @aslefunion.bsky.social @unitetheunion.bsky.social @law-democracy.bsky.social @cwunews.bsky.social @transparencyuk.bsky.social @alliancescot.bsky.social @scottishtuc.bsky.social @rmtunion.bsky.social @mysociety.org @fbunational.bsky.social
@hrcscotland.bsky.social @aslefunion.bsky.social @unitetheunion.bsky.social @cwunews.bsky.social @transparencyuk.bsky.social @alliancescot.bsky.social @scottishtuc.bsky.social @rmtunion.bsky.social @mysociety.org @fbunational.bsky.social