mySociety

What next for FOI?

In this panel discussion from FOI Fest [https://www.mysociety.org/transparency/foi-network/foi-fest-2026/], participants discussed the challenges and opportunities for Freedom of Information, including how AI is increasingly a problem – but could also be a solution – for authorities. You’ll hear from: * Louise Crow, Chief Executive, mySociety * Ben Worthy, Senior Lecturer in Politics, Birkbeck College * Carole Ewart, Director, Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland * David Hamilton, Scottish Information Commissioner Please fill in our short survey [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Ayf5LOT8Ks7yxjCW5aNdN6pIsy2K0py_ACszVI19xpk/edit] to help us understand more about why and how you listen! TRANSCRIPT 0:00  [Gavin Freeguard] Welcome to FOI Fest 2026! 0:06  [Alex Parsons] So, to split this into two sets of questions. One is around the FOI reform in Scotland, and the other is this ongoing conversation of the day around technology and AI. (more…) [https://www.mysociety.org/podcast/what-next-for-foi/#more-57414]

FOI Fest – Keynote 2: David Hamilton (Scottish Information Commissioner)

In the second keynote from FOI Fest [https://www.mysociety.org/transparency/foi-network/foi-fest-2026/], David Hamilton, the Scottish Information Commissioner, explained current challenges, including the arrival of the AI-based request, increased levels of anger on both sides, and what it means when FOI is front page news every three days. He also goes through the forthcoming changes that the Reform Bill is set to bring to Freedom of Information in Scotland. David refers to his slides a few times during this recording. If you would prefer to watch this presentation as a video, head over to YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2umv7TN3jzY]. Please fill in our short survey [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Ayf5LOT8Ks7yxjCW5aNdN6pIsy2K0py_ACszVI19xpk/edit] to help us understand more about our listeners! TRANSCRIPT 0:00  [Gavin Freeguard:] Welcome to FOI Fest, 2026 0:04  [David Hamilton] I’m David Hamilton. I’m the Scottish Information Commissioner.  0:07  I don’t know. I always end up speaking at conferences on FOI in England after Scotland thump England at rugby. So having alienated most of the audience, let me carry on.  (more…) [https://www.mysociety.org/podcast/foi-fest-keynote-2-david-hamilton-scottish-information-commissioner/#more-57396]

FOI Fest skills session: Ben Worthy

Ben is Senior Lecturer in Politics at Birkbeck College, where FOI Fest 2026 took place. In this five-minute talk, Ben shared the innovative ways in which he has used Freedom of Information to understand more about Freedom of Information itself. FOI Fest [https://www.mysociety.org/transparency/foi-network/foi-fest-2026/] was held on 19th February and was co-organised by the FOI Network. Please fill in our short survey [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Ayf5LOT8Ks7yxjCW5aNdN6pIsy2K0py_ACszVI19xpk/edit] to help us understand more about our listeners! TRANSCRIPT: 0:00  [Gavin Freeguard] Welcome to FOI Fest 2026! 0:05  [Ben Worthy] Hi everybody. My name is Ben Worthy. I’m an academic here at Birkbeck College, and I’m very aware that only I stand between you and lunch, so I will be as quick as I can. (more…) [https://www.mysociety.org/podcast/foi-fest-skills-session-ben-worthy/#more-57279]

FOI Fest: George Greenwood’s 10 FOI tips in 10 minutes

In a session from FOI Fest, the Times’ investigation reporter George Greenwood shared his top ten tips around using FOI, in just ten minutes. Enjoy! FOI Fest [https://www.mysociety.org/transparency/foi-network/foi-fest-2026/] was held on 19th February and was co-organised by the FOI Network. Please fill in our short survey [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Ayf5LOT8Ks7yxjCW5aNdN6pIsy2K0py_ACszVI19xpk/edit] to help us understand more about our listeners!   TRANSCRIPT 0:00  [Gavin Freeguard] Welcome to FOI Fest 2026. 0:04 [George Greenwood]  Hello everybody. My name is George Greenwood, and I’m investigations reporter at the Times newspaper, and put it mildly, an avid user of FOI for my reporting. 0:18  Today, it’s going to be a quick fire skill session, just ten tips in ten minutes, on how best campaigners, journalists, members of the public, even some other public authorities, can use FOI to the best of their ability and to get the most out of it.  (more…) [https://www.mysociety.org/podcast/foi-fest-george-greenwoods-10-foi-tips-in-10-minutes/#more-57215]

FOI Fest: Andreas Pavlou, OGP Independent Reporting Mechanism

In this five-minute lightning talk, Andreas Pavlou, Lead at Open Government Partnership Independent Reporting Mechanism, shares positive advances in Access to Information in countries such as the Netherlands and Brazil. FOI Fest 2026 [https://www.mysociety.org/transparency/foi-network/foi-fest-2026/] was held on 19th February and was co-organised by the FOI Network. Please fill in our short survey [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Ayf5LOT8Ks7yxjCW5aNdN6pIsy2K0py_ACszVI19xpk/edit] to help us understand more about our listeners! TRANSCRIPT 0:00  Gavin Freeguard: Welcome to FOI Fest 2026! 0:04  Andreas Pavlou: Afternoon everyone. My name is Andreas Pavlou. I’m lead at the independent reporting mechanism of the Open Government Partnership, which is an international initiative that seeks to bring government and civil society reformers together to co-create commitments that seek to advance transparency, participation and accountability in government.  (more…) [https://www.mysociety.org/podcast/foi-fest-andreas-pavlou-ogp-independent-reporting-mechanism/#more-57169]