True or false? 🤔 The Scottish Information Commissioner can attempt to reach an agreement between the authority and the requester before going to a Decision Notice? For the answer, visit our September edition of our #newsletter 👉 tinyurl.com/SeptFOINews #FOI #Scotland

📢 Have your say! The Scottish Parliament is scrutinising the FOI Reform Bill, and they need your views – should authorities pause deadlines for clarification? Should the First Minister have a veto? Submit your views by 22 October 2025 👇 tinyurl.com/FOIReform

🥁 Drum roll… introducing the @ecase.co.uk FOI Awards 2026! 🏆 Nominations are now open - a chance to celebrate the teams, individuals & authorities making a difference in FOI. Find out how to nominate in our latest #newsletter 👉 tinyurl.com/SeptFOINews #FOI #Scotland #FOIAwards

🗞️Hot off the press! Our latest newsletter is out - covering #FOI Reform Bill updates, the launch of the eCase Awards 2026 and Scotland’s FOI law achieving success in international ratings… What are you waiting for? Visit: tinyurl.com/SeptFOINews #FOIReform #Newsletter

RECAP | FOI works but suggests the need for improvement and culture change. Proactive publication would benefit requesters and authorities. When info is easy to access, fewer requests are needed. Help shape the future of FOI - have your say by 22/10 👉 tinyurl.com/FOIReform

At SPIF we welcomed the full line-up of past-and-present Scottish Information Commissioners. Their debate centred on one big question: Will Scotland become a global FOI leader? 🌍

MSP @katysclark.bsky.social summarised the FOI Reform Bill and the process it needs to take going through Parliament. She highlighted the proposed measures to speed up the designation of bodies that hold contracts for public services.

"FOI lets the media better inform the public” said @thecourieruk ‘s David Clegg at SPIF. But “with some authorities resisting, culture change is needed”.

At Friday’s Scottish Public Information Forum, Lord Wallace of Tankerness, who led the FOI Act through Parliament 20+ years ago, reflected that governments which proactively release information face fewer requests.

On Friday we attended the Scottish Public Information Forum at the Scottish Parliament, organised by @cfoiscot.bsky.social. Speakers included @thecourier.co.uk David Clegg, @katysclark.bsky.social MSP, past SICs & current Commissioner @da.vidh.scot. We’ll be sharing highlights throughout today.

When requesting info covering multiple years, specify if you want “calendar,” “financial,” or “school” years. Different authorities may take different approaches, so clarity helps avoid confusion. #FOI20 #Scotland

Planning a big research project needing lots of info? Contact the authority’s FOI team - they might publish the data proactively. Easier for you, less work for them - a win-win! A recent case is featured in our newsletter: tinyurl.com/FOIJuly #FOI20 #Scotland

📢 Changes are proposed to Scotland’s FOI laws. The Freedom of Information Reform (Scotland) Bill aims to make it easier to access information and hold public services to account. Listen to Standards Committee Convener Martin Whitfield and have your say. 🔗 yourviews.parliament.scot/sppa/freedom...

🌍28 Sept is UNESCO’s International Day for Universal Access to Information - highlighting the need to strengthen info laws & implementation for more inclusive societies. Visit: tinyurl.com/WorldFOI. Watch out for our updates on how Scotland compare to other FOI leaders!

Need a response in a particular format? Let the authority know – they should try to accommodate your preference. If you're comparing responses or gathering data, electronic formats can be easier to manage. #FOI20 #Scotland

Use an FOI contact address when making your request. While any address will do, sending it straight to the FOI dept helps your request reach the right person faster. Our Authority A-Z should help! foi.scot/public-authorities #FOI20 #Scotland  

When making an FOI request, keep it separate from other emails or letters. Mixing requests with other issues can cause delays. Clear, standalone requests avoid confusion and help authorities respond faster. #FOI20 #Scotland

When you get a response, read it carefully to understand why info may have been withheld. If you disagree with their reasons, you can ask the authority to reconsider your request. Visit: foi.scot/what-if-im-unhappy #FOI20 #Scotland

Be polite - public authority staff are people too! Keep communication respectful and remember that exemptions aren’t personal. A positive approach always makes FOI work better for everyone. #FOI20 #Scotland

Don’t ask for too much info in one request. FOI sets cost limits, and if responding costs too much, your request may be refused. Keep it focused for the best chance of success. #FOI20 #Scotland

Keep copies – in the (hopefully unlikely) event that you have to make an appeal to the Commissioner, you’ll need these. Need to appeal? Visit: foi.scot/appeal #FOI20 #Scotland

📍 Join the Scottish Public Information Forum on Friday 26 September at the Scottish Parliament. A key event for #FOIat20 and International Right to Know Day. Reserve your spot: tinyurl.com/SPIF25 #SPIF2025 #RightToKnow #FOI #Scotland 

Before sending your FOI request, take a moment to read through it from the recipient’s perspective. Is it clear? Could anything be misinterpreted? Reviewing helps you fix issues early and get better outcomes! #FOI20 #Scotland

Ready for a new challenge? 💪 There's one week left to apply to be our new Validation Officer - helping to ensure the freedom of information (FOI) appeals we receive are ready for investigation. 🔎 Intrigued? Find out more at: www.foi.scot/current-vacancies

The FOI debate starts TODAY! How has 20 years of transparency shaped Scotland? And what’s next? Don’t miss this important discussion at #FoP2025. 📍 Scottish Parliament | 🕝 2:30pm

🚨 Happening tomorrow! How has FOI changed Scotland—and how do we protect it for the future? Hear stories of impact, challenge and reform. 🎟️ www.tinyurl.com/FOIatFOP #FoP2025 #FOI #RightToKnow

Include a time period in your FOI request to help narrow the search. Adding details like the subject, people involved, or document type will also focus your request and boost the chance of a successful response. #FOI20 #Scotland

Be as specific as you can in your FOI request. Clear, focused requests are more likely to succeed and less likely to be refused on cost grounds, while requests that are too broad can cause unnecessary work for everyone! Targeted = better results. #FOI20 #Scotland

📜 Introduced in 2005. 📈 90,000+ requests annually. 👀 But is Scotland’s Freedom of Information law still working? Be part of the discussion at #FoP2025: www.tinyurl.com/FOIatFOP #RightToKnow

FOI covers recorded information only. Phrase your request with this in mind - e.g. “all documents or correspondence relating to…” Think about what’s likely to be recorded and held. It also helps focus the search. #FOI20 #Scotland

🎉Celebrate 20 years of Scotland’s FOI Act at the Scottish Public Information Forum on 26 Sept at the Scottish Parliament. Hear reflections, lessons & future priorities. Spaces are limited—register here: tinyurl.com/SPIF25 #SPIF2025 #RightToKnow #FOI #Scotland #FOIat20

Public trust doesn't come for free—it’s earned through openness. FOI plays a key role in that. 📅 Join us at the Scottish Parliament to explore why it matters more than ever. www.tinyurl.com/FOIatFOP #FoP2025

🗓️ Save the date! On 26 Sept, Scottish Public Information Forum meets at the Scottish Parliament to celebrate International #RightToKnow Day & #FOIat20. Reserve your spot 👉 tinyurl.com/SPIF25 #SPIF2025 #RightToKnow #FOI #Scotland 

🚗 Think driving test pass rates are the same across Scotland? They’re not — and we found out thanks to FOI. From rural wins to urban struggles, FOI uncovers the real stats. tinyurl.com/DrivingFOI ✨ What would you use FOI to ask for? 👇 

We're recruiting for a Validation Officer to join our Enforcement Team - helping to ensure that the freedom of information (FOI) appeals we receive are ready for investigation. Could it be you? 👀 Find out at www.foi.scot/current-vacancies

In just over a week's time we'll be exploring the past, present and future of FOI with experts from Glasgow City Council, BBC Scotland and Give Them Time, in a discussion chaired by Maggie Chapman MSP 🎟Get involved at #FoP2025: tinyurl.com/FOIatFOP

From concerned citizens to investigative journalists, FOI has changed how we hold power to account. But is it still fit for purpose? 🎟️ Join the debate at #FoP2025: www.tinyurl.com/FOIatFOP

Ready for a new career challenge? Looking for interesting and varied work? We might have just what you're looking for... We're recruiting for a Validation Officer to help assess the FOI appeals we receive. Find out more at www.foi.scot/current-vacanc... #FifeJobs

Before submitting an FOI request, check if the info is already available. Authorities must publish a range of info under FOI, so a quick search could save you time and effort. See: foi.scot/check-what-is-publ... #FOI20 #Scotland

👥 Public access matters. The Scottish Public Information Forum meets 26 Sept, 11am–1pm at the Scottish Parliament to mark #FOIat20 & #RightToKnow Day. Free entry—limited tickets available: tinyurl.com/SPIF25 #SPIF2025 #RightToKnow #FOI #Scotland 

🎟️ Only one way to hear both sides of the FOI debate at this year’s #FestivalofPolitics… From those making the requests and those receiving them. 📅 22 August, 2:30pm 📍 Scottish Parliament ➡️ www.tinyurl.com/FOIatFOP #FoP2025 #FOI

Public bodies have a duty to help people looking for their information. If you're unsure how to frame an FOI request, reach out - they can help you ask in a way that gets the information you need. 👉 foi.scot/providing-advice-a... #FOI20 #Scotland

From exposing injustice to driving change, FOI has been empowering citizens for 20 years. Some may call it a ‘burden’ - we call it progress. Hear the stories at #FoP2025 👉 www.tinyurl.com/FOIatFOP

FOI helped uncover postcode inequality in early years education. Learn how citizens used FOI to change the law at this year’s #FoP2025. 🎟️ Book here: www.tinyurl.com/FOIatFOP #GiveThemTime #FOI

Most FOI requests for info are free. While authorities can charge for part of the cost of responding they rarely do–in fact only 0.25% of the requests made so far this year have involved a fee. If they do decide to charge, it must be done in line with the FOI fee rules: foi.scot/what-might-it-cost

📣 Join the Scottish Public Information Forum on 26 Sept, 11am–1pm at the Scottish Parliament! We're marking 20 years of FOISA + UNESCO’s Right to Know Day. Free to attend - public tickets limited. Book now: tinyurl.com/SPIF25 #SPIF2025 #RightToKnow #FOI #FOIat20

Public authorities have 20 working days to respond to FOI requests—but allow extra time if you sent it by post. Want to know when to expect a reply? Use our response calculator: www.foi.scot/response-calcu... #FOI20 #Scotland

🛣️ FOI requests revealed a 28% rise in Scottish roadworks since 2019/20. And traffic is up 46% since 1995. What would you like to know next about transport or public spending? What would you ask for about transport and public spending?  Let us know below! 👇🔗 www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles... #FOI

20 years on from Scotland’s FOI law, what lessons have we learned? What still needs to change? Don’t miss this crucial conversation at #FoP2025. 🎟️ www.tinyurl.com/FOIatFOP #Transparency #ScotlandEvents

📣Spread the word! The Scottish Information Commissioner is speaking at the Festival of Politics on 22 Aug - exploring FOI past, present & future. Know people who’d be interested? Share & let them know! 🎟️ Tickets: www.tinyurl.com/FOIatFOP #FOI #FoP2025