Your Right to Know: How to Use the Freedom of Information Act and Other Access Laws - Softcover

Brooke, Heather

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0745322727 ISBN 13: 9780745322728

Publisher: Pluto Press, 2004

Synopsis

The public had no right to most of this information - until now. On 1 January 2005 the Freedom of Information Act came into force giving the British public a legal right for the first time to access information from more than 100,000 public authorities. But in order to take advantage of this new right you first have to know who holds the information and how to get it. Your Right to Know gives you the tools you need to get the information you want. It explains all the main laws of access in clear language with practical advice on how to file actual requests. Chapters deal in depth with how to get information from all areas of public life: central government, transport, security and defense, the justice system, police and law enforcement, health, the environment, education, local government, business, and individuals. You'll find in each chapter an outline of who is responsible for what, where to go for information and how to get that information and hold public servants and public agencies accountable. If you've ever wanted to force open the secretive doors of government, this is the guide you need.

About this title

About the Author

Before taking on the secretive British government, Heather Brooke worked in the United States as a newspaper reporter covering politics and crime (not at the same time). She used the American FOI Act to uncover politicians' misuse of public funds for travel and personal election campaigning while covering the Washington state Legislature. Later, as a crime reporter in South Carolina for New York Times newspapers, she uncovered flaws in the state's forensic crime lab and exposed dangerous practices in funeral homes. Both investigations resulted in changes to state law. Heather has worked as a publicity assistant for BBC International Television and copywriter for BBC Audiobooks. She has written articles for The Guardian. Evening Standard and the New Zealand Herald. She lives in London and Florida.

Edition details

• Publisher: Pluto Press
• Publication date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0745322727
• ISBN 13: 9780745322728
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 224