Freedom of Information Essentials

This e-learning course outlines the parameters of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA), how it functions and how requests under the FOIA should be made and dealt with.

Freedom of information makes our authorities more accountable in delivering public services, and stimulates public debate on issues that are important to everyone. Above all, it helps create an atmosphere of transparency in politics and society as a whole as being able to access information held by public authorities is an important right in an open society. The FOIA gives a structure to the way information is accessed and disclosed in the public domain.

Topics explored in this course:

• Main provisions for the Freedom of Information Act
• Types of information covered under the Act
• Public authority duties
• Publishing information
• Dealing with requests for information
• Providing information and refusing a request

By the end of this course you will::

• Recognise when and where the main provisions of the Freedom of Information Act apply
• Understand the types of information that will be shared in an organisation’s publication scheme
• Make or handle requests for information in an appropriate way
• Understand the rights of individuals under the Act and the consequences of not complying with the legislation

Approximate time to complete: 35 minutes