David Higgerson suggests six questions that journalists can ask to improve the end results of a possible FOI request – or save you sending one entirely. they are:
- Is this information available elsewhere?
- Will they release the information to me without going through FOI?
- Is there another way of getting this information?
- Do I need to think about jargon in my FOI request?
- Are there examples of the information being released elsewhere?
- What reasons for refusal could a public body come up with?
It’s nice to see the post using an example from Help Me Investigate’s very early days – Heather Brooke’s FOI request to Birmingham City Council.