Freedom of Information (FoI) News is edited by journalist Matthew Davis. The blog will provide news, legal updates and vacancies in a speedy, entertaining and informative way. FoI News welcomes criticism as well as praise and hopes to become the premier discussion forum for people working around Information Rights legislation.

Matthew Davis:

Having been a journalist for the last 20 years and the director of a successful press agency I set up my new company DataNews Ltd in January 2009 - just in time for the end of global capitalism. DataNews Ltd utilises information and statistics, often obtained using Freedom of Information legislation, to provide news stories for a variety of media outlets. As well as a wealth of practical experience in FoI requests I have represented myself successfully in an Information Tribunal against the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (link) and have had numerous appeals upheld by the Information Commissioner (National Portrait Gallery, Sussex Police, Hampshire Police 1, Hampshire Police 2, and Hastings Council) . My successful appeal against a Ministry of Justice decision to block my information request was upheld first by the Commissioner and then at a Tribunal. The MoJ appealled again, it went to the High Court and is now been sent back to the Tribunal [update]. An expert in media law, I teach the discipline to journalism students at Brighton Journalist Works. I have been engaged to do public speaking on how the Act has changed the news gathering landscape for journalists in addition to presentations to public authorities on how the legislation has and will continue to alter their relationships with journalists. I offer media/FoI training and consultancy.