Two Cabinet ministers are due to face questions from MPs after leading national newspaper editors united behind openDemocracy’s call for “urgent” action on the British government’s handling of Freedom of Information requests.
Julian Knight MP, Conservative chair of the influential Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, which oversees press freedom, said: “It is concerning that questions have been raised about the openness and transparency of government,” after openDemocracy revealed details of a secretive unit inside Michael Gove’s Cabinet Office, which is responsible for Freedom of Information (FOI).
The ‘Clearing House’ unit, described as “Orwellian” by the head of the National Union of Journalists, is accused of profiling journalists who make FOI requests, and of blocking the release of ‘sensitive’ information.
