Freedom of information “essential in any democracy”, says Labour leader

Freedom of Information - your right to know

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said freedom of information is “essential in any democracy” and an important tool for local news organisations and investigative journalists, and declared his “absolute” opposition to charging for FoI requests as he addressed the Newspaper Conference annual lunch at Westminster.

Since its introduction in 2000 the Freedom of Information Act has become a vital part of our democracy and helped to expose a wave of scandals. However, the government has established a commission due to report shortly on possible changes to the FoI Act which could include charges for requests as well as new restrictions on the disclosure of information.

Mr Corbyn said: “We have a Freedom of Information Act which is very, very important because freedom of information is essential in any democracy if you are to hold to account those that exercise authority, power or administration."

Mr Corbyn, who once worked as local journalist, also praised the role of local news. He said: “There is still a much greater trust in local media and in regional media than in national media, and I think that’s something we should be pleased with and I think it’s something that’s very important in our lives.”