1st Edition

Freedom of Information A Practical Guide for UK Journalists

By Matthew Burgess Copyright 2015
    250 Pages
    by Routledge

    250 Pages
    by Routledge

    Freedom of Information: A Practical Guide for UK Journalists is written to inform, instruct and inspire journalists on the investigative possibilities offered by the Freedom of Information Act.

    Covering exactly what the Act is, how to make FOI requests and how to use the Act to hold officials to account, Matt Burgess utilises expert opinions, relevant examples and best practice from journalists and investigators working with the Freedom of Information Act at all levels.

    The book is brimming with illuminating and relevant examples of the Freedom of Information Act being used by journalists, alongside a range of helpful features, including:

    • end-of-chapter lists of tips and learning points;

    • sections addressing the different areas of FOI requests;

    • text boxes on key thoughts and cases;

    • interviews with leading contemporary journalists and figures working with FOI requests.

    Supported by the online FOI Directory (www.foidirectory.co.uk), Freedom of Information: A Practical Guide for UK Journalists is a must read for all those training or working as journalists on this essential tool for investigating, researching and reporting.

    1. The Act  2. FOI in the media’s view  3. Accessing other information  4. The FOI exemptions  5. How to write a successful FOI request  6. How to utilise FOI  7. Case studies  8. Know your rights  9. Appeals  10. Journalistic considerations  11. FOI Around the World  12. The rise of open data  Appendix: Request templates

    Biography

    Matt Burgess is a UK-based journalist, who has experience of writing for all the national newspapers as well as editing experience on a wide variety of trade publications.. Many of his stories for these publications have been based on information obtained by the Freedom of Information Act. He is the founder of the FOI Directory website (www.foidirectory.co.uk), a tool for researchers, academics, journalists and anyone involved or passionate about the Freedom of Information Act in the United Kingdom and beyond. Matt is also a frequent speaker on the Act and advises individuals on the best way to make use of it.

    Excellent concept... The topics look right, and the order of presentation makes sense... I am curious why the author doesn’t seem to list journalists associated with the Guardian or the Independent, both of which have made considerable use of FOI. – Jane Kirtley, Silha Professor of Media Ethics and Law at the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Minnesota, USA

    The outline looks fully inclusive and suitable for the identified target audience. It might be important to sales, and placement of the book, that the title somehow reflect that it is U.K. specific. – Shannon Martin, School of Journalism, Indiana University, USA

    FOI is a useful tool for journalists and one increasingly accepted and acknowledged. A guide would be useful and attractive to a wide audience... Throughout I would ensure that there are plenty of case studies and quotes-I would recommend using in- text boxes to give small vignettes and cases throughout the book. Each chapter should end with tips...I would use the interviews to inform the vignettes/cases throughout.– Benjamin Worthy, Department of Politics, Birkbeck College, London, UK

    I would suggest including Heather Brooke as one of the interviewees for the book, even if she’s written a competing book. Brooke is one of the most effective users of FOI in the UK. – Johan Lidberg, Senior Lecturer in Journalism, School of Journalism, Australian and Indigenous Studies, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia

    There is good detail on the possible competition from other books. I know all of these and I regard this proposal - if it succeeds - in being potentially better for journalists. – Dr Eamonn O’Neill, Director, MSc in Investigative Journalism, Strathclyde University, UK