Freedom of information parliamentary act / statute law CASE STUDY

Question 1

What year was the Freedom of Information act?

Answer 1

2000.

Question 2

Under what government?

Answer 2

Blair’s Labour.

Question 3

What did it highlight?

Answer 3

The transparency of government / public bodies

Question 4

When was the “white paper” describing the complex issue in the buildup to the act published, and what did it say?

Answer 4

Published in 1997.

Described “Your right to know”, stating openness is fundamental to the political health of a modern state.

Question 5

What did the act do? (2 points)

Answer 5

Made the government obliged to publish and make information about minutes of meetings / public policy documents freely available for public.

Public can find this information from the information commissioner’s office.

Question 6

3 successes?

Answer 6

1) Invaluable resource for investigative journalists / pressure groups.
2) Created greater governmental accountability, as brought transparency.
3) Caused to jailing of 7 MP’s in 2009 after expenses scandal.