Freedom of Information

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, USAThe 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, USAFOI 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, UKI 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, AustraliaThere 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

• 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