Statistics have shown that the Scottish public and the press have embraced the Freedom of Information Act, so much so that twice as many appeals for information have been received as Scottish information officer, Kevin Dunion, had expected.
Anecdotal evidence shows that many of the 10,000 bodies covered by the Act have received more requests for information than anticipated. Under FOI rules anyone refused requested information can appeal to Dunion to have their request reconsidered.
Speaking at the Society of Editors (Scotland) annual seminar, Kevin Dunion, said: “We were projecting more than 500 appeals over the first year – there have been 380 appeal to date.
“The assumption was that it would be used by troublemakers, journalists and parliamentarians trying to make trouble for the sitting government. There has been a massive transformation in people’s awareness of their rights. Fifty per cent of the appeals are coming from ordinary members of the public.
Solicitors requesting information for clients is the next largest group with 26 per cent of appeals coming from the legal sector.
Since the Act came into effect on 1 January 2005 there have been approximately 1,400 requests. Around 60 per cent of these requests have come from the media.