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cfoiscot.bsky.social
Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland
@cfoiscot.bsky.social
140 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. Get yourself a ticket now to avoid missing out!

Tickets available here: www.eventbrite.com/e/1759807725...

#FoISAReform25 #freedomofinformation #humanrights #foi #event
Event The Scottish Public Information Forum (SPIF) will meet on the 26th of September 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 will be on FoI as a human right. Everyone is welcome to attend. 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 13, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Reposted by Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland
juliacushion.bsky.social
Yesterday's evidence session about freedom of information in Scotland felt really positive and ambitious - much needed at the moment!

Lovely to see @benworthy.bsky.social & @muteswann.bsky.social also speak to the committee, and huge thanks to @cfoiscot.bsky.social for all of their hard work!
mysociety.org mySociety @mysociety.org · 7d
Yesterday @alexparsons.bsky.social spoke at the Scottish Parliament about our views on the Freedom of Information Reform (Scotland) Bill.

Catch up on the evidence session and find out why we're really keen on the proposed proactive publication measures👇

www.mysociety.org/2025/11/07/a...
A key moment to strengthen Scotland’s Freedom of Information law
We gave evidence to the Scottish Parliament on how to make Scotland's already good FOI system even better.
www.mysociety.org
November 7, 2025 at 2:37 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
www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/stan... Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee | Scottish Parliament TV - 1st oral evidence session completed this morning on FoI Reform Bill. Thank you 2 the 5 experts who gave evidence in support of Bill’s general principles ⁦‪@KatySClark‬⁩ ⁦‪⁦‪
Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee | Scottish Parliament TV
www.scottishparliament.tv
November 6, 2025 at 2:42 PM
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 robert.foster@parliament.scot 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
Reposted by Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland
campaignfoi.bsky.social
👑 Privacy of The Royal Household 👑

One of the FOI Act's most fascinating provisions, section 37 governs the boundaries of public interest within Britain's most discrete institution.

If recent news has piqued your interest, see here for a refresher on where the law stands.
November 5, 2025 at 9:34 AM
cfoiscot.bsky.social
108 Published responses to the Stage 1 consultation on the Freedom of Information Reform (Scotland) Bill - Scottish Parliament - Citizen Space. Thanks to everyone who took the time to respond ⁦‪@KatySClark‬⁩ ⁦‪@ScottishTUC‬⁩ ⁦‪@NUJScotland yourviews.parliament.scot/sppa/freedom...
Published responses for Freedom of Information Reform (Scotland) Bill - Scottish Parliament - Citizen Space
Find and participate in consultations run by the Scottish Parliament
yourviews.parliament.scot
October 31, 2025 at 5:11 PM
cfoiscot.bsky.social
Trust, efficiency & investment are necessary to ensure the enforcement machinery of FoI law in Scotland is respected. We have the first 2 in place but remedial action is required by ScotParl on funding so the regulator's functions are consistently delivered. www.heraldscotland.com/news/2558519...
Watchdog blames lack of funding for delay in Scottish Government WhatsApp inquiry
Scotland’s freedom of information watchdog has delayed its investigation into deleted Covid-era WhatsApp messages due to staff and funding…
www.heraldscotland.com
October 31, 2025 at 4:47 PM
cfoiscot.bsky.social
Timely reminder of why passing the FoI Reform Bill matters to so many people in Scotland. @katysclark.bsky.social @unitescotland.bsky.social @cwuscotland.bsky.social @gabymckay.bsky.social www.heraldscotland.com/news/2521506...
Why is this Labour MSP calling for a change to the Freedom of Information Act?
The Freedom of Information Act could be set to change in Scotland, with a new bill proposed to stop WhatsApp messages being deleted
www.heraldscotland.com
October 31, 2025 at 4:05 PM
cfoiscot.bsky.social
The enforceable right to access information is a human right so it’s good news that Scotland’s independent regulator has reported a busy year ensuring rights and duties are respected, protected and fulfilled. @hrcscotland.bsky.social @thre-equal.bsky.social @scvo.scot @reidfoundation.bsky.social
cfoiscot.bsky.social Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland @cfoiscot.bsky.social · 16d
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 30, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Reposted by Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland
giace.bsky.social
Join the next #GIACESeminar:
Corruption in Paradise: Real Estate Money Laundering in Emerging Markets

📅 Nov 13 | 🕐 1–2 PM UK
🔗 Register: bit.ly/GIACEUSISemi...

This seminar explores what weak enforcement means for housing markets & why global AML rules fall short.
Corruption in Paradise: Real Estate Money Laundering in Emerging Markets
bit.ly
October 30, 2025 at 2:09 PM
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
Reposted by Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland
nujlfb.bsky.social
💻 NUJ to mark International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists

A special event on 3 Nov, 5.30pm online. An opportunity to hear from an expert panel on journalist safety, honour fallen colleagues, and demand justice.

Register here:
NUJ to mark International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists
On Monday 3 November at 5.30pm, the NUJ will host an online speaker event to mark International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists (IDEI).
buff.ly
October 14, 2025 at 12:00 PM
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
Reposted by Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland
campaignfoi.bsky.social
📢FOI in the News!

A record number of people in the UK died while homeless in 2024.

A total of 1,611 homeless people died in the UK during the year, a 9% increase over 2023. The majority of deaths resulted from suicide or street drugs.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
UK deaths of 1,611 homeless people in 2024 is record high
Most are linked to suicide or drugs, with spice and nitazenes increasingly deadly.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 8, 2025 at 4:12 PM
cfoiscot.bsky.social
FoI secures the full story.

#FoISAReform25 #freedomofinformation #humanrights #scotland #foi
October 8, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Reposted by Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland
campaignfoi.bsky.social
To mark October as Black History Month, we wanted to share a handful of FOI disclosures which illustrate the experiences of Britain's Black communities.

The first – James Coombs vs the Home Office and ICO on the origins of the Windrush Scandal.

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024...
Home Office forced to release critical report on origins of Windrush scandal
Government had objected to report’s publication as it may ‘damage trust of affected communities’
www.theguardian.com
October 7, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Reposted by Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland
foi.scot
📢 Have your say! The Scottish Parliament is scrutinising the FOI Reform Bill, and they need your views – should authorities pause deadlines for clarification? Should the First Minister have a veto?
Submit your views by 22 October 2025 👇 tinyurl.com/FOIReform
October 1, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Reposted by Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland
foi.scot
True or false? 🤔 The Scottish Information Commissioner can attempt to reach an agreement between the authority and the requester before going to a Decision Notice? For the answer, visit our September edition of our #newsletter 👉 tinyurl.com/SeptFOINews
#FOI #Scotland
Open Update email newsletter banner: Text "FOI news, updates & learning, straight to your inbox." Zoomed in image beneath of two people shaking hands.
October 2, 2025 at 8:08 AM
Reposted by Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland
foi.scot
At last week’s SPIF event, @cfoiscot.bsky.social shared messages from around the world congratulating Scotland on 20 years of FOI! Read the messages below – and remember you can have your say on the FOI Reform Bill until 22 Oct 👉 tinyurl.com/FOIReform
October 2, 2025 at 11:03 AM
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