UK Ministry of Justice found tracking journalists who make information requests
By Samara Baboolal, Jurist, Aug. 28, 2023
A Times investigation revealed on Saturday that the Ministry of Justice has been tracking journalists who make information requests. In the UK, the right to request and access recorded information held by public authorities is protected under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) and Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act. By law, UK public authorities must respond to any requests for information. According to the Times’ report, a Times reporter made a subject access request and discovered the documents of background profiles on journalists that make freedom of information requests, which was compiled by Ministry of Justice officials.
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[Note: The application of extra scrutiny to certain FOIA requests is not uncommon in the United States. See notable examples here.]