Introduction to the Freedom of Information Special Edition: Emerging Perspectives, Critical Reflections, and the Need for Further Research

This Special Edition on Freedom of Information (FOI) hosts a small, but engaging and thoughtprovoking collection of papers. While it has been disappointing that,despite circulating the call for papers through a number of high profile ‘alert lists’ of both UK and international scope, the calls for papers did not generate a substantial groundswell of submissions and that not all of the submitted papers made it through the rigorous peer-reviewing process, the papers that were finally accepted for publication are worthy contributions to this important topic. A relatively new and under-researched area currently, it is hoped that this special edition will not only inform, but will also generate new questions and debate. It is hoped, too, that it will both inspire those already researching this topic and excite those not yet engaging with FOI to develop the longer-term research trajectories that will bring crucial depth of specialist knowledge, critical reflection, and understanding to FOI-related theorising, public policymaking, and practice. Finally, the special edition brings together a collection of papers of relevance to scholars and practitioners alike. We are fortunate in this special edition to have empirically-based research papers from new and established scholars on the one hand, together with commentaries and contributions from a number of authoritative and high-profile practitioners and “FOI-insiders” on the other;these latter in the form of a “viewpoint essay” from Kevin Dunion, the Scottish Information Commissioner, and two highly readable and informative book reviews from Carole Ewart, The Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland, and Rosalind McInnes, BBC Scotland.The papers brought together in the special edition each adopt a different vantage point on Freedom of Information. The special edition opens with the nicely polemical, but measured viewpoint essay from the Scottish Information Commissioner. Dunion asks if access to material through channels such as “the upstart Wikileaks” has “upstaged” the more formal routes encapsulated in Freedom of Information legislation and its associated structures, processes, and procedures. Acknowledging that problems arise whatever channels are employed he reflects that perhaps “an uncoordinated synergy is occurring between the various routes by which information can be secured – official inquiry, legal access and unauthorised disclosure”. Noting “worrying signs of decay and antipathy” developing in relation to the sustainability and strengthening of Freedom of Information legislation, Dunion concludes in defence of peoples’ “legitimate right to information”. Spence and Dinan’s research paper examines Freedom of Information through the lens of Scotland’s voluntary sector. The complex inter-relationship that exists between voluntary organisations and the government and public sector bodies that fund them is shown to impact on the extent to which and how voluntary organisations employ Freedom of Information in support of their activities. The authors offer