HOW TO FILE AN FOI
Freedom of Information (FOI) laws give ordinary people the power to ask governments, agencies and public institutions for the records they would rather keep out of sight.
But most people never use them. They assume FOI is complicated, expensive, slow, or only for journalists and lawyers. In reality, a well-crafted request can uncover internal emails, reports, briefing notes, contracts, meeting records and data that shape public life.
In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn how to identify a story worth pursuing, frame a request that has a better chance of success, avoid the most common reasons requests fail, and draft a real FOI request they can submit after the session.
Along the way, you will draw on real investigations and examples of how FOI has been used to reveal information that changed public debates.
By the end of the workshop, you won’t just understand FOI. You’ll leave with a request ready to send.
What to bring:
- Laptop or tablet, preferred for drafting requests
- One thing they’re curious about. Eg. council decisions, policing, transport, housing, universities, health, events, contracts
- Email address, so you can send your FOI request after the session
Location:
The Ethics Centre
Level 1, 161 Castlereagh St
Sydney, 2000
Sessions run for 90 mins and include afternoon tea.
Cam Wilson
Cam Wilson is an award-winning Australian technology reporter. He is currently the ABC’s national AI reporter and previously worked at Crikey and BuzzFeed News. He is also the (unofficial) world record holder for the most freedom of information requests filed in a single sitting.
We acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation - the custodians of the country on which we meet - and acknowledge their Elders, past and present.
The views and opinions expressed by the Festival participants are not necessarily the views of The Ethics Centre and our partners.