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Freedom of information leads to a media free-for-all |
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The Scotsman
Peter MacMahon
26 May, 2005
THE Scottish Executive has received about 900 requests under its new freedom of information legislation.
More than two-thirds of the questions under the law, which came fully into force in January, were from journalists.
Figures released yesterday - under the freedom of information rules - showed that 17 per cent of requests were rejected on the grounds that the answers would include policy information for ministers, which is exempt. About 200 questions were not answered because officials judged that doing so was not in the public interest.
The figures show 107 rejections were reviewed by civil servants and eight decisions fully overturned. Ironically, the number of cases referred to Scotland's information commissioner, who has the final say, is a secret.
One Sunday newspaper journalist tabled more than 60 per cent of the 620 media requests. Journalists' questions range from policy on the Chernobyl nuclear disaster to where officials buy the wine for receptions at Bute House.
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