Thursday 20 September 2012

Ofcom attack on James Murdoch throws Sky future into doubt

Ofcom attack on James Murdoch throws his future into doubt - Telegraph: "News Corp and BSkyB appeared unmoved by the criticism. Sources at the pay-TV broadcaster said the board continued to give Mr Murdoch its full backing. “The director were very clear continue to believe strongly in his integrity and confidence. What they said back in April still stands,” a source said.
News Corp defended Mr Murdoch’s “distinguished record”, arguing that Ofcom’s criticisms were “not at all substantiated” by evidence.
Ofcom’s verdict that BSkyB is “fit and proper” to hold a broadcasting licence could help clear the way for News Corp to make another attempt to by the 61pc of the satellite broadcaster that it does not already own."
'via Blog this'

Correspondence between BIS, Professor Garratt and Nominet officials 2008-9 - a Freedom of Information request to Department for Business, Innovation and Skills - WhatDoTheyKnow

Correspondence between BIS, Professor Garratt and Nominet officials 2008-9 - a Freedom of Information request to Department for Business, Innovation and Skills - WhatDoTheyKnow:
"I am writing to request an internal review of Department for Business, Innovation and Skills's handling of my FOI request 'Correspondence between BIS, Professor Garratt and Nominet
officials 2008-9'.
Note that a good deal of correspondence was omitted from the FoI reply, but is already public domain since 11 September - can there be any justification in refusing to release such information?
See Rosenbaum, M. (2012) http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-19...
I also note that the Information Commissioner has made plain that civil servants cannot exclude relevant communications from FoI requests by use of private emails, a point which I made in my
initial request: ICO (2011) http://www.ico.gov.uk/news/latest_news/2...
Furthermore, under the Digital Economy Act 2010 ss.19-21, Nominet has clearly become a co-regulatory body performing public functions, is judicially reviewable and therefore its correspondence with government (at the very least) should also be subject to FoI requests." 'via Blog this'

Correspondence between BIS, Professor Garratt and Nominet officials 2008-9

Correspondence between BIS, Professor Garratt and Nominet officials 2008-9 - a Freedom of Information request to Department for Business, Innovation and Skills - WhatDoTheyKnow:
"Dear Professor Marsden,
Thank you for your email of 22 July 2012 where you requested correspondence (including from officials on official business that was sent via private email addresses) regarding the instigation and conduct of the Garratt Review into the governance of Nominet between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2009. You also requested all emails relating to “Plan G” and correspondence of Nominet executives (we have interpreted the latter as being related to your main request about the Garratt Review). As you are probably aware, policy responsibility for this area was passed to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in January 2011.
The information you requested is attached. "
'via Blog this'

Friday 14 September 2012

FOI, fear and personal emails for public business

BBC News - FOI, fear and personal emails for public business: ""It feels wonderful to work free from fear of FOI!!" This expression of relief came in an email from a civil servant at the business department discussing government matters - but sent from his personal email account to colleagues at their private email addresses.
I have just been provided with a copy of this email and others about internet policy sent through personal accounts. Although written back in October 2008, the issue they illustrate - of the relationship between FOI, official business and private email accounts - is still very much a continuing one."
'via Blog this'