Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland
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cfoiscot.bsky.social
Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland
@cfoiscot.bsky.social
150 followers 300 following 100 posts
CFolS campaigns for a robust legal right to access information so people can find out how they are governed and how 'public' services operate.
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cfoiscot.bsky.social
The next SPIF meeting is just around the corner. The agenda includes a presentation from Felicitas Strickmann of FragDenStaat. Get a ticket now to avoid missing out!

Tickets available here: www.eventbrite.com/e/scottish-p...

#FoISAReform25 #freedomofinformation #humanrights #foi #event
Event The Scottish Public Information Forum (SPIF) will meet on the 1st of December to update on the FoISA Reform Bill and celebrate Human Rights Defenders Day and International Human Rights Day Free Location: Online 1 December at 2:00PM to 4:00PM GMT The Scottish Public Information Forum (SPIF) will meet on the 1st of December to celebrate Human Rights Defenders Day and International Human Rights Day. An update on the Stage 1 process of the Bill will be provided and the focus of the event will be on championing FoI as an ‘Everyday Essential’ Human Right. Everyone is welcome to attend. Speakers include: Felicitas Strickmann from FragDenStaat, a non-profit project of the Open Knowledge Foundation Deutschland David Hamilton, Scottish Information Commissioner Deborah Clark, UK Information Commissioner’s Office Michael Birrell, Scottish Government Carole Ewart, CFoIS Previously, the Scottish Public Information Forum (SPIF) convened, in person at the Scottish Parliament and online, on the 26th September 2025, with 45 people from across Scotland in attendance. You can book a free ticket for SPIF via Eventbrite now.
November 25, 2025 at 3:39 PM
cfoiscot.bsky.social
Thank you to the participants in CFoIS' breakout session, ‘The Snakes and Ladders of the Public Interest Test’, for an energetic and engaging session at Holyrood’s FoI Conference yesterday. Thanks to the organisers for having us!

#FoISAReform25 #freedomofinformation #foi #holyrood #conference
November 19, 2025 at 5:34 PM
cfoiscot.bsky.social
Thanks to Richard Leonard for attending @KatySClark’s briefing in the FoI Reform Bill. He chaired the parliamentary Inquiry which recommended legal reform of FoI Law in May 2020. 5 years later that will happen if the MSPs Bill is passed.

#FoISAReform25 #freedomofinformation #humanrights #foi
November 7, 2025 at 11:02 AM
cfoiscot.bsky.social
Thank you to @katysclark.bsky.social MSP for holding last night's roundtable at the Scottish Parliament on the FoI Reform (Scotland) Bill! The speeches and discussion provided a much needed opportunity to discuss the Bill's importance

#FoISAReform25 #freedomofinformation #humanrights #scotland #foi
November 7, 2025 at 10:58 AM
cfoiscot.bsky.social
You're invited: Katy Clark MSP Katy Clark MSP to hold FoI Reform Bill Roundtable at the Scottish Parliament tomorrow!

Registration is required. Email Robert Foster at [email protected] to register for the event.

#FoISAReform25 #freedomofinformation #humanrights #scotland #foi
Event Katy Clark MSP FoI Reform Bill Roundtable on 06/11 Free Location: Committee Room 2, The Scottish Parliament, Horse Wynd, Edinburgh, EH99 1SP Thursday 6 November at 6:00PM GMT Tomorrow, Katy Clark MSP is going to hold a roundtable at the Scottish Parliament on the Freedom of Information Reform (Scotland) Bill. The discussion will focus on the future of FOI in Scotland as the FoI Reform Scotland Bill tabled by Katy Clark MSP makes its way through the Scottish Parliament. There will be an opportunity for participants to have their views heard and to ask questions to the panellists. Speakers include: Katy Clark (Scottish Labour MSP for West Scotland) David Hamilton (Scottish Information Commissioner) Carole Ewart (Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland) Catherine Russell (Care Home Relatives Scotland) Registration is required. Email Robert Foster at robert.foster@parliament.scot to register for the event.
November 5, 2025 at 11:55 AM
cfoiscot.bsky.social
The Scottish Information Commissioner has revealed a record-breaking year in the 2024-25 Annual Report!

Read the full report here: www.foi.scot/2024-25-annu...

#FoISAReform25 #freedomofinformation #humanrights #scotland #foi
The Scottish Information Commissioner highlights record-breaking year in 2024-25 Annual Report The Scottish Information Commissioner has reported on a very busy year, with a record-breaking 335 formal decisions issued. This is the highest number since the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act became operational twenty years ago. CFoIS congratulates the Scottish Information Commissioner and his team for achieving this result in FoISA’s 20th anniversary year. This outcome highlights that positive results are only possible with enforceable and operational laws. When people’s cases are settled, this results in more information getting disclosed and therefore being available to the public. We hope that this result inspires others to apply to the Commissioner if they are struggling to get the information they seek disclosed. Source: ‘Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25’ (Scottish Information Commissioner, October 2025)
October 29, 2025 at 6:04 PM
cfoiscot.bsky.social
Join CFoIS and Human Rights Consortium for a FoISA Reform Bill Update Event on November the 19th.

Tickets are available to book via Eventbrite now: www.eventbrite.com/e/1759810012...

#FoISAReform25 #freedomofinformation #humanrights #event #foi
FoISA Reform Bill Update In conjunction with the Human Rights Consortium Scotland. Free Location: Online 19 November at 1:00PM to 2:00PM GMT CFoIS announces an update event on the Freedom of Information Reform (Scotland) Bill on progressing the Bill through Stage 1, held in conjunction with Human Rights Consortium Scotland. Book a free ticket via Eventbrite now!
October 23, 2025 at 4:27 PM
cfoiscot.bsky.social
The @ecase.co.uk FOI Awards 2026 nominations are now open!

CFoIS encourages requestors who have had a positive experience of FOI to acknowledge the service they received with a nomination!

Read the criteria (ecasefoiawards.co.uk/categories/) and complete the nomination form by 30th November.

#FOI
October 22, 2025 at 3:52 PM
cfoiscot.bsky.social
People have questions and use FoI law to access official information and get answers. However Scotland’s 20 yrs old FoI law needs significantly strengthened so there is a Bill at the ScotParl to fix it. Today is the last day to give your views go to yourviews.parliament.scot/sppa/freedom...
October 22, 2025 at 9:58 AM
cfoiscot.bsky.social
Thanks to the SNP TU Group for hosting the CFOIS leaflets explaining our all party campaign in support of the FoI Reform Bill currently at Stage 1 in the ScotParl. An opportunity 4 Scotland 2 lead the way by voting 4 progressive legal reform. @snp.org @graemedey.bsky.social @nujscotland.bsky.social
October 11, 2025 at 11:18 AM
cfoiscot.bsky.social
FoI secures the full story.

#FoISAReform25 #freedomofinformation #humanrights #scotland #foi
October 8, 2025 at 4:52 PM
cfoiscot.bsky.social
Thanks to everyone who joined the Scottish Public Information Forum (SPIF) at the Scottish Parliament and online on Friday!

Book a ticket for the next SPIF meeting on December 1st via Eventbrite: www.eventbrite.com/e/1759807725...

#FoISAReform25 #freedomofinformation #humanrights #scotland #foi
October 1, 2025 at 3:56 PM
cfoiscot.bsky.social
Today is @unesco.org's International Day for Universal Access to Information, with a focus on Environmental Information. CFoIS believes that everyone deserves timely access to environmental information.

Find out more here: www.unesco.org/en/days/univ...

#AccessToInfoDay #RightToKnow
UNESCO’s International Day for Universal Access to Information 28th September UNESCO’s ‘International Day for Universal Access to Information’ will take place on the 28th of September and focus on ‘Ensuring Access to Environmental Information in the Digital Age’. CFoIS believes that everyone deserves access to environmental information and that timely environmental information empowers stakeholders to act on climate change. For more information, visit the UNESCO website.
September 28, 2025 at 5:48 PM
cfoiscot.bsky.social
Celebrating FoISA@20, excellent meeting of SPIF @davieclegg discussing news coverage before & after the enforceable right 2 information was introduced in 2005 & @katysclark.bsky.social highlighting how her members FoI Reform Bill will serve the public better. Public support helps the Bill succeed!
September 26, 2025 at 3:16 PM
cfoiscot.bsky.social
To celebrate FoISA@20, thanks to Lord Wallace for chairing a discussion with current & previous Scottish Information Commissioners-Kevin Dunion, Rosemary Agnew, Daren Fitzhenry & David Hamilton. A thoughtful and realistic assessment of enforcing rights & duties. @foi.scot @ICONews @ScotHumanRights
September 26, 2025 at 2:38 PM
cfoiscot.bsky.social
Thanks to Sue Webber MSP of the Scottish Conservative Party for meeting with CFoIS to discuss Katy Clark’s FoI Reform Bill. We look forward to giving evidence to the SPPA committee at Stage 1 to inform its deliberations. @suejwebber @katysclark.bsky.social
September 24, 2025 at 5:16 PM
cfoiscot.bsky.social
Good to meet Graham Simpson MSP of Reform UK to discuss the FoI Reform Bill. A positive conversation about the importance of robust FoI rights to enable informed scrutiny. Thanks for your support to progress the Bill though the Scottish Parliament @grahamsmsp @katysclark.bsky.social
September 24, 2025 at 5:11 PM
cfoiscot.bsky.social
Informed citizens are essential to a greener, fairer, and thriving planet. Find out how you can get involved in UNESCO's International Day for Universal Access to Information in this post!

More information here: www.unesco.org/en/articles/...

#AccessToInfoDay #RightToKnow
Event 2025 International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI 2025) Conference Manila, Philippines; Online 29 - 30 September The 2025 International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI 2025), hosted by UNESCO and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines, to take place in Manila, Philippines, on 29–30 September 2025. This year’s theme is ‘Ensuring Access to Environmental Information in the Digital Age.’ The conference will bring together high-level participants and experts from around the world to discuss: Access to environmental information as a pillar of transparency, accountability, and sustainable development Broader enabling conditions, including legal and digital frameworks, information integrity, and measures to address disinformation, in line with the 2030 Agenda and SDG 16.10.2.
September 24, 2025 at 4:02 PM
cfoiscot.bsky.social
Have a look inside the September instalment of our newsletter!

If you want to find out more, sign up to our newsletter via the ‘Support Us’ page on our website: www.cfois.scot/support-us/

#FoISAReform25 #freedomofinformation #humanrights #scotland #foi
September newsletter Inside the latest instalment of our newsletter Information on upcoming free events An update on the Freedom of Information Reform (Scotland) Act Scottish Government legal challenge to Scottish Information Commissioner decision New body designated under FoISA Rating Scotland and UK FoI laws FoI in Europe FoI Globally and more...
September 19, 2025 at 3:26 PM
cfoiscot.bsky.social
Did you know that you can register to receive regular updates on Freedom of Information requests and responses?

Sign up via the @whatdotheyknow.bsky.social website: www.whatdotheyknow.com/list/success...

#FoISAReform25 #freedomofinformation #humanrights #scotland #foi
Did you know that you can get updates on Freedom of Information requests? WhatDoTheyKnow, a service from mySociety, has resources for making an FoI request, viewing requests and viewing authorities. The website also has a function whereby you can sign up to be notified of FoI requests and/or responses. You can tailor the alerts so that you receive emails about the requests and responses that you want to see. Sign up now via the WhatDoTheyKnow website!
September 18, 2025 at 3:25 PM
cfoiscot.bsky.social
Austria enacted the Freedom of Information Act (Informationsfreiheitsgesetz or ‘IFG’) earlier this month.

Read more here: cms.law/en/aut/news-...

#FoISAReform25 #freedomofinformation #humanrights #scotland #foi
Austria enacts Freedom of Information Act On September 1st, Austria’s Freedom of Information Act (Informationsfreiheitsgesetz or ‘IFG’) and a constitutional amendment intended to abolish official secrecy came into effect. The IFG introduces some important changes, including: the ability to request the disclosure of documents introduction of a proactive publication obligation introduction of a fundamental right to information shortening of deadlines no cost applications At a time when other countries are undermining FoI rights and duties, the introduction of an FoI law by Austria is an encouraging development. Katy Clark MSP’s Freedom of Information (Scotland) Bill provides an opportunity for Scotland to join Austria in leading the way on FoI.
September 17, 2025 at 3:34 PM
cfoiscot.bsky.social
Find out more about Peter Forsskål who campaigned for the right to freedom of information.

#FoISAReform25 #freedomofinformation #humanrights #scotland #foi
Freedom of information campaigner Peter Forsskål In 1759, Peter Forsskål published a pamphlet, printed by Lars Salvius, which called for civil liberties. It was recalled on the day of its publication and swiftly banned and those who were found to have a copy were subject to a serious fine, which was the equivalent of two years salary for a ship’s captain. Despite these challenges, the text was still circulated and contributed greatly to access to information, with the abolition of prior censorship getting established in 1766 by law in Sweden, as a result of the pamphlet. The pamphlet is now available to read online. Sources: Peter Forsskål Website, ‘Peter Forsskål: Thoughts on Civil Liberty’
September 8, 2025 at 3:12 PM
cfoiscot.bsky.social
Thank you to yesterday’s attendees at the Bill Brunch in collaboration with Common Weal, for an engaging session!

Sign up to our next event, SPIF, here: www.eventbrite.com/e/scottish-p...

#FoISAReform25 #freedomofinformation #humanrights #scotland #foi
FOI Reform - extending rights and strengthening duties Thank you to the attendees of yesterday’s Bill Brunch ‘FOI Reform - extending rights and strengthening duties’ with Common Weal for facilitating a successful event and engaging discussion! Register to attend our next event via Eventbrite now! The Scottish Public Information Forum (SPIF) will meet at The Scottish Parliament and online on the 26th of September to celebrate 20 years of FoISA with a focus on whether Scotland will become a global FoI leader.
September 4, 2025 at 3:10 PM
cfoiscot.bsky.social
Today @ 9am, the Standards, Procedures & Public Appointments Committee of the ScotParl will meet 2 discuss the Stage 1 process for the FoI Reform Bill. CFoIS wishes the Cttee well in its deliberations & looks forward to sharing our views on why legal reform is necessary & urgent. @_MWhitfield
September 4, 2025 at 8:10 AM
cfoiscot.bsky.social
The next Scottish Public Information Forum (SPIF) meeting, led by CFoIS, will take place at the Scottish Parliament and online on the 26th of September at 11AM!

Book a ticket here: www.eventbrite.com/e/1454818955...

#FoISAReform25 #freedomofinformation #humanrights #scotland #foi
Event The Scottish Public Information Forum (SPIF) will meet on the 26th of September to celebrate 20 years of FoISA Free Location: Committee Room 2, Scottish Parliament Building, Horse Wynd, Edinburgh, EH99 1SP or join online 26 September at 11:00AM to 1:00PM GMT The Scottish Public Information Forum (SPIF) will meet on the 26th of September to celebrate 20 years of FoISA with a focus on whether Scotland will become a global FoI leader. Everyone is welcome to attend. The meeting will be chaired by Lord Wallace of Tankerness who, as Scotland’s Deputy First Minister, piloted the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Bill through the Scottish Parliament in 2002. Speakers include: David Clegg, Editor of the Dundee Courier Katy Clark MSP who introduced the Freedom of Information Reform (Scotland) Bill to the Scottish Parliament on 2nd June David Hamilton, the Scottish Information Commissioner Former Scottish Information Commissioners Kevin Dunion, Rosemary Agnew and Daren Fitzhenry Previously, the Scottish Public Information Forum (SPIF) convened, online, on the 16th of June 2025, with 65 people from across Scotland in attendance. For information on the impact and use of FoISA, check out ‘Celebrating 20 years of FOI - in 20 numbers’ published by the Commissioner. You can book a free ticket via Eventbrite.
September 3, 2025 at 4:09 PM