On Friday I reported on the Newspaper Society's campaign against further restrictions on the operation of the Freedom of Information Act (FoI). Now journalist Tom Griffin has opened another avenue of protest by launching a petition under the special service introduced on the Downing Street website.
It asks Tony Blair not to go ahead with the restrictions and reads:
"We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to reject the restrictions on the Freedom of Information Act proposed by the Department of Constitutional Affairs. The proposed changes will restrict the number of requests individuals and organisations can make, and allow Government Departments to include 'reading time' in fees calculations, greatly increasing the scope for obstruction of legitimate requests. As the Constitutional Affairs Select Committee concluded, there is no need to change the existing fees regime. Indeed, the cost of the Freedom of Information Act is less than was originally projected by the government, and the transparency provided by the Act can only benefit efficient government."
I have signed, and Andrew Grant-Adamson reports that he has too. Every journalist should sign, and you'll find the petition here. If these restrictions are passed then stories of genuine public interest will not see the light of day. The FoI Act is already weak; it must not be allowed to become weaker still.
