Campaign for Freedom of Information
Description
The Campaign for Freedom of Information (CFOI) is a UK organisation that advocates for freedom of information and open government. It was set up in 1984.
Its director drafted a series of Private Members’ Bills that became law. These included the Access to Personal Files Act 1987, the Access to Medical Reports Act 1988, the Environment and Safety Information Act 1988 and the Access to Health Records Act 1990. He also served on the Lord Chancellor’s Advisory Group on implementing the Freedom of Information Act, and on the Commonwealth Group of Experts whose Freedom of Information Principles were adopted by Commonwealth Law Ministers in 1999. He received an OBE in 2004 for services to open government.
The Campaign is run by a small staff, including a senior policy officer and administrative support. It also has a voluntary board drawn from backgrounds in law, journalism, data protection, human rights and public administration. Several board members have direct experience using the Freedom of Information Act, including in investigative journalism and legal campaigns to uncover secret government reports.
The Campaign works from home rather than a physical office, since its former premises at the Free Word Centre closed.
Latest news
Information Commissioner & Tribunal Decisions – FOI case law update Wednesday 23rd September 2026
This course is aimed at experienced FOI practitioners and others with a good working knowledge of the legislation. It covers significant FOI decisions issued in the previous 6 months and highlights the latest developments in the way the exemptions, public interest test and the legislation’s...
1 Sep 2026Using the FOI Act training: Wednesday 24th February 2027
Do you want to learn how to use the Freedom of Information Act? Are you already using the Act, but want to know more about how key provisions are being interpreted? This practical training will enable you to make more effective FOI requests. The post Using the FOI Act training: Wednesday 24th...
20 Aug 2026Newly published Part 5 of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry report highlights major questions on procurement
20th July 2026 The newly published Part 5 of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry report on procurement contains significant findings on transparency and accountability. It found that: Of the £14.9 billion spent on PPE, almost two-thirds, nearly £10 billion, was wasted. The government failed to publish...
20 Jul 2026Ten-minute rule bill seeks greater royal transparency
26th June 2026 Ten-minute rule bill seeks greater royal transparency. Green MP proposes Royal Family be covered by Freedom of Information. Green Party MP Sian Berry, has launched a bid to bring the Royal Family including the Sovereign under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The bill seeks...
26 Jun 2026Scottish Government guilty of contempt of court over FOI handling
10th June 2026 Scottish Government guilty of contempt of court over FOI handling. Court of Session delivers notable precedent. What has happened? The Scottish Court of Session has found the Scottish Government (SG) guilty of contempt of court for failing to comply with a decision notice on time...
10 Jun 2026“Inexcusable” FOI failings cost Exeter University £15k
28th May 2026 “Inexcusable” FOI failings cost Exeter University £15k. Upper Tribunal delivers sharp rebuke in four-year contempt case. What has happened? An applicant’s four-year FOI dispute with University of Exeter has ended with the latter receiving a £15,000 fine for contempt of court. The...
28 May 2026
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