Campaigners, blogs, journalists

This page is dedicated to the other Freedom of Information blogs and campaigners in the UK. Here are the blogs you should be following if you’re interested in the country’s FOI laws.

It includes blogs from those working inside FOI, journalists using the Act, campaigners and many more. 

Campaign for FOI

Set up in 1984 this non-profit organisation is one of the main reasons why we have Freedom of Information laws in the United Kingdom. Their tireless campaigning led to the laws being introduced. Now they exist to provide information to the public, make sure the act is implemented correctly. They blog here. The campaign Tweets here.

What Do They Know

The website allows you to make a FOI request straight from your browser without having to email the organisation – you can then see your request, receive updates on its progress and while you’re waiting look at thousands of other requests and responses. Approximately, ‘What Do They Know’ makes up for 15% of all FOI requests in the UK. Their website is here. They Tweet here. 

FOI Man

The infamous FOI Man. Also known as Paul Gibbons, a former Freedom of Information officer turned trainer and consultant. He runs the FOI Man blog and Twitter account commenting on everything to do with FOI and beyond. He’s been involved in FOI for more than 10 years, he was previously the Parliamentary Records Manager. A must follow for Freedom of Information fanatics. He blogs here. He Tweets here. 

Martin Rosenbaum

The BBC’s Freedom of Information specialist. He trains reporters how to best use the Act to produce stories, uses the Act and blogs on its developments and issues. He blogs here. He Tweets here.

Heather Brooke

The award-winning journalist who used the FOI act for five years to expose the MPs’ expenses scandal. She blogs about FOI, information issues, open democracy and open justice. She blogs here. She Tweets here. 

Jon Baines

Works in local government and is involved in dealing with complaints about Freedom of Information and Data Protection. He blogs and Tweets on FOI and Data Protection issues, news and views. He blogs here. He Tweets here. 

Below is a Twitter list of the best users to follow for Freedom of Information updates in the United Kingdom.

David Higgerson

Trinity Mirror’s David Higgerson, who is responsible for regional websites within the company, is a huge FOI fan. In his own words: “I believe [FOI] is one of the most powerful tools at our disposal as journalists, and one which should be used more frequently.”

He blogs on FOI here. He Tweets here.

Tim Turner

Freedom of Information and data protection consultant and trainer. When not training FOI officers and teaching them how to properly respond to requests he writes on the Act and data protection issues on his website.

He blogs here. He Tweets here.

Twitter list

The following Twitter list contains Freedom of Information fans and interested parties who will (most of the time) be tweeting on the subject.