The UKs First Freedom of Information Podcast Service

THE UKs FIRST FOI PODCAST SERVICE

This is a free monthly series of podcasts by Ibrahim Hasan, solicitor and information law expert. It is designed to bring busy public sector practitioners up to date with the latest developments in Freedom of Information law.

This is the first FOI podcast of it's kind in the UK. See the review in The Times (17th Oct 2006)

Ibrahim discusses the latest FOI developments including recent decisions from the Information Commissioner's Office and the Information Tribunal and their impact on FOI practice. This is going to be essential listening for lawyers and public sector employees interested in Freedom of Information and related subjects.

Not sure how to listen? Please see the bottom of this page.

For the latest articles on Freedom of Information -  click here

For other downloads and training videos - see the bottom of this page

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Latest : Episode 13 (July 2008) - Listen Here

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This is episode 13 of the UK's first Freedom of Information podcast by Ibrahim Hasan. In May (24) and June (19) 2008 the Information Commissioner published forty three (43) decisions whilst the Information Tribunal published ten (10). Ibrahim is here to guide you through some of these.

In this episode we will be discussing decisions on:

•    The definition of information and when it is held by the organisation
•    Vexatious requests
•    Section 17 and the Public Interest Test
•    Section 36 and requests about FOI requests
•    When statistics can still be personal data
•    The long running saga of MPs expenses.
•    Disclosure of addressees
•    AND when contract and financial information can be withheld under section 43

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Episode 12 (May 2008) - Listen Here

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In March (30) and April (14) 2008 the Information Commissioner published forty four (44) decisions whilst the Information Tribunal published fifteen (15). Ibrahim is here to guide you through some of these.

In this episode, amongst others, we will be discussing decisions on:

  • How to decide which regime applies to an information request (FOI or EIR)
  • Information available on websites
  • Disclosure of correspondence with councillors
  • The section 38 exemption for health and safety
  • Disclosure of names of employees and those attending meetings
  • More guidance as to when legal advice should be disclosed
  • AND When price information can be withheld under section 43

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Episode 11 (March 2008): - Listen Here
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This is episode 11 of the UK’s first Freedom of Information podcast by Ibrahim Hasan.

In January and February 2008 the Information Commissioner published sixty decisions whilst the Information Tribunal published ten.

In this episode, amongst other things, we will be discussing:

• More guidance on what is information under FOI

• Release of sensitive information relating to the circumstances around the Iraq war

• A Tribunal decision on the definition of personal data

• The overturning of the Information Commissioner’s decision ordering disclosure of ASBO information

• Disclosure of salaries

• And the first decision requiring disclosure of legal advice on public interest grounds


There is also comment and analysis from Tim Turner of Wigan Council.


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Episode 10 (January 2008): - Listen Here

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This is episode 10 of the UK’s first Freedom of Information podcast by Ibrahim Hasan.

In November and December 2007, the Information Commissioner published forty five decisions whilst the Information Tribunal published fourteen. I’m here to guide you through some of these.

In this episode, amongst other things, we will be discussing:

 
•  A Tribunal decision on vexatious requests

•  Whether the time taken to redact exempt information is an allowable cost

•  Disclosure of information about anthrax stockpiles

•  When  advice to ministers should be disclosed

•  Blue sky thinking and the section 36 exemption

•  Disclosure of information contained in a dead person’s social work records

•  AND legal advice about sado masochism

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Episode 9: - Listen Here

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This is episode 9 of the UK’s first Freedom of Information podcast by Ibrahim Hasan.

In September and October 2007 the Information Commissioner published thirty eight FOI decisions whilst the Information Tribunal published nine. This podcast guides you through some of these

In this episode we will be discussing decisions involving:

• Vexatious requests and what makes them such

• Disclosure of celebrity pay packets by the BBC

• Disclosure of staff attendance at work

• The applicability of section 21 to information on the internet

• The link between the fees provisions and section 16

• The first Tribunal decision on disclosure of dead peoples’ information

• AND disclosure of information about police speed meters


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Episode 8: - Listen Here

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This is episode 8 of the UK’s first Freedom of Information podcast by Ibrahim Hasan.

In July and August 2007 the Information Commissioner published sixty four FOI decisions whilst the Information Tribunal published seven. This podcast guides you through some of these.

Amongst other things, in this episode Ibrahim will be discussing

•    The first appeal against an Information Notice
•    Disclosure of staff names and contact details
•    The first Commissioner decisions involving GPs
•    Disclosure of bids received for the purchase of council land
•    Whether  statistics can still be personal data
•    Disclosure of dead peoples’ information
•    AND when retrieval of information amounts to the creation of new information


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  Episode 7: - Listen to this podcast

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In May and June 2007 the Information Commissioner published fifty seven FOI decisions whilst the Information Tribunal published six. Ibrahim Hasan is here to guide you through the some of these.
Amongst other things, in this episode he will be examining decisions about disclosure of information on:

•    Empty properties
•    Job evaluation criteria
•    A councils vehicle towing policy
•    A hospitals audit report
•    The retirement packages of senior officers
•    AND details of  premium bond winners

We also have comment and analysis from Andrew Maughan, of the London Borough of Bexley, who recently represented his council in an appeal to the Information Tribunal.

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Episode 6: - Listen to this podcast

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In this episode Ibrahim discusses the latest FOI developments over the last two months (March/April 2007) including:
  • The  new consultation on the fees regulations
  • When information is held on behalf of a public authority
  • The link between the Enterprise Act and FOI
  • The disclosure of surveillance information
  • AND Tony Blairs Christmas card list

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Episode 5: 2007 - Listen to this podcast

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In this episode Ibrahim discusses the latest FOI developments over the last month (February 2007) including:

  • the first Practice Recommendation issued by the Information Commissioner
  • the review of the Records Management Code of Practice
  • the disclosure of salary information
  • the release of ASBO information
  • access to dead peoples’ information
  • the link between the Enterprise Act and FOI
  • when a request can be treated as vexatious
  • AND the case of the speeding police bus

There is also have an interview with Susan Healy of the National Archives and comment and analysis from Tim Turner of Wigan Council

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Episode 4: - Listen to this podcast

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Download the script here

In this episode Ibrahim discusses the latest FOI developments over the last two months (December 2006 and Janaury 2007) including:

 

  • news about the governments fees consultation
  • access to commercially sensitive information
  • the application of FOI to the BBC
  • the vexed question of access to dead peoples’ information
  • MPs expenses claims
  • access to lists of addresses of council properties
  • AND whether information about David Beckham can be released

 

There is also comment and analysis from Martin Rossenbaum of the BBC and Elaine Fletcher of Eversheds solicitors.

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Episode 3 :  - Listen to this podcast

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In this issue Ibrahim Hasan examines the ICO/IT decisions for November 2006 as well as ::

 

  • The latest news on Government's proposals to change the FOI fees regulations
  • The  Information Commissioner's Publication Scheme Initiative
  • The latest decision from the Information Tribunal
  • The latest decisions from the Information Commissioner

Due to the Christmas break, the next episode will be broadcast at the end of January.

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Episode 2 : - Listen to this podcast
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Download the script here

 

In this issue Ibrahim Hasan examines the ICO/IT decisions for late September and October 2006 as well as :

 

  • The implications of Government proposals to change the FOI fees regulations
  • The  FOI Progress report from Information Commissioner
  • The vexed question of access to information about dead people
  • Whether details of a compromise agreement are disclosable
  • A number of other decisions from the Information Commissioner and the Information Tribunal.

There are interviews with Maurice Frankel of the Campaign for Freedom of Information and also Ilyas Bulbulia of IBA Solicitors.

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Episode 1 :  - Listen to this podcast

Note: in some browsers you may have to wait for the whole file to download before autoplay will launch

Download the script here 

In this first episode, Ibrahim Hasan discusses the latest Commissioner and Tribunal decisions (for July, August and September 2006) which shed light on difficult FOI issues including :

  • Access to personal data
  • The difference between FOI and EIR
  • Legal Professional Privelage and FOI
  • Acces to planning information

This was the very fist FOI law podcast and was downloaded almost 1000 times.

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HOW TO LISTEN

Normally you just click on the above links (Listen to this podcast) and your computer media software (e.g Windows Media Player or Real Player) will automatically open and play it. Some programs ask you to save the file first. Its best to save it your desktop and then double click on it. Any problems please contact Ibrahim.

The raw feed for these podcasts is: http://informationlaw.jellycast.com/podcast/feed/5  Please note that this only works with specialist podcast software (often free)  e.g iTunes, Juice, Doppler

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