Reading for cynics
When I've run training sesssions for ´óÏó´«Ã½ journalists on freedom of information, one very frequently asked question has been: 'How can you be sure they are really giving you all the information they should?'
I wouldn't want to encourage cynicism. But if you're already a cynic, you might be interested to read from the Information Commissioner criticising the Police Service of Northern Ireland. If you have a short attention span, you could start with paragraph 23 of Annex 2.
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Thank you for this article Martin - i will now be raising this matter with the Northern Ireland Policing Board at their next meeting.
What is the stage beyond being a cynic about FOI, Martin? And the stage beyond that - and beyond that?
Yup I am about there, I would reckon.
Information Commissioner - huh. It is nigh on 2008 and I have been conveniently forgot because of course the IO cannot mention why I am not receiving a simple Yes/No answer because they may not be as independent as they would like to appear. And it may raise too many other queries.
But worry not Martin, I have given up on more than the IO recently and think very fondly on my missus's country and their treatment of the same subject - Freedom of Information.
All her info hoovered up at two sites within half an hour.
Me - 10 months and counting. Shameful. Yes I would say I was a cynic.
When I get FOI requests from journalists, I just make stuff up and send it back to them. It keeps me amused and, after all, they're only journalists.