Transparency is a precondition of democracy. But accountability in Britain is under threat. On May 22 Request Initiative and City University will ask why. Our speakers include Christopher Graham, the Information Commissioner, Duncan Campbell, investigative journalist and forensic expert, Robin Hopkins, a barrister from 11KBW, Helen Darbishire, director of Access Info Europe and Brendan Montague, co-founder and director of the Request Initiative. The talk will focus on information law and the role of investigative journalism in today’s world.

The Ministry of Justice review of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) stated: “Freedom of Information has been a significant enhancement of our democracy and the Act is working well.” But David Cameron claimed that FOIA “furs up” the arteries of government and many expect the government to propose a revision of the act’s powers this year.

FOIA has provided a powerful tool for journalists and campaigners. Recent disclosures revealed that the MoD considers the war in Afghanistan as “unwinnable in military terms” and that Prince Charles was “secretly given a say over dozens of new laws” in the past decade. And we now know London council houses sold to tenants have fallen into the hands of “rich landlords.”

Many fear that new modes of governance are undermining the openness installed by the FOIA. Influential organisations like the IMF and the G20 are immune from any transparency legislation. Privatisation is reducing accountability because FOIA does not extend to the private sector. Transparency is also diminishing in other areas of UK life. Newly approved secret courts mean a person may not have the right to attend their own trial. London’s role in the offshore banking industry is under renewed scrutiny.

We will be asking our panel why accountability matters in public life and encouraging them to assess the UK’s current commitments to transparency: are they sufficient? What are the social and economic impacts of withholding public information? Given that the right “to seek, receive and impart information” is a human right, should we consider subjecting private bodies to the same scrutiny as public ones? Our speakers will also consider the future of transparency. How will it work in the future? And how should it work? Are their risks in continuing on our path toward secrecy?

All our events are free to attend but you are required to register. Spaces are limited to so please ensure you are able to attend when booking.

Time and date: 18:15, May 22, 2013

Venue: Room AG21, College Building, City University London

Please note that event is NOT in Liverpool. This is an EventBrite/Google maps error. It is in London.

About our speakers

Christopher Graham is the current Information Commissioner, head of the UK's independent public body set up to uphold information rights in the public interest, promoting openness by public bodies and data privacy for individuals. His role includes encouraging good practice, ruling on complaints and taking regulatory action. Christopher’s career began at the BBC as a radio and TV journalist. Most recently he has been Director General of the Advertising Standards Authority, Chairman of the European Advertising Standards Alliance and Secretary of the BBC.

Duncan Campbell is an investigative journalist, television producer, author and consultant. He has published exposés in the areas of defence, civil liberties, secrecy issues, policing, and computer forensics. Duncan was at the heart of the 2013 ICIJ British Virgin Islands tax avoidance investigation, which revealed how offshore financial secrecy has spread aggressively around the globe. American, British and Australian tax authorities are investigating the data following the work of Duncan and his collagues.Duncan also exposed the role of the NSA’s Yorkshire Menwith Hill Station in tapping worldwide communications (1980) and secret plans for the first ever British spy satellite, codenamed “Zircon” (1987).

Robin Hopkins is a barrister at London’s 11KBW chambers who specialises in the Freedom of Information Act, Environmental Information Regulations and the Data Protection Act. He advises the Information Commissioner’s Office, local authorities and other public bodies on policy changes, consultations and equalities duties. Robin co-edits the Information Law Reports and Panopticon, a leading information law blog, and is on the editorial board of the Freedom of Information Journal and of the Law Society’s 2012 Freedom of Information Handbook.

Helen Darbishire is a human rights activist specialising in the public's right of access to information and the development of open and democratic societies. She is founder and Executive Director of the Madrid-based NGO Access Info Europe, established in 2006 to promote the right of access to information in Europe and globally. Helen has worked for over 20 years as a human rights professional, focusing on issues of freedom of expression and information, media freedom, civil society development, and democratisation. She is a founder of the global Freedom of Information Advocates Network and served two terms as its chair.

Brendan Montague, co-founder and executive director of Request Initiative, is an investigative journalist with more than a decade of experience working for The Sunday Times, The Mail on Sunday and The Daily Mail. Brendan is described by The Times as a “freedom of information expert”. Brendan has published in The Times, The Observer, The Guardian, The Independent, the New Statesman and has used FoIA to substantiate environmental and political stories. He has also lectured at City University and Goldsmiths College on the subject of Freedom of Information.

Linda Lewis (chair) is the Course Director of Political Journalism at City University. She is an award-winning broadcaster whose journalistic career spans print, TV and radio. She started in local newspapers in the West Country as a trainee with Mirror Group, before moving to the BBC where she worked for 20 years as a reporter, presenter and producer in national TV and radio news and current affairs. Linda reported for BBC TV News on headline news and breaking stories for over a decade.