Abstract
The aim of this report is to ask the question “in what circumstances, if any, can the FOI [Freedom
of information] tools mySociety builds be shown to have measurable impacts on the ability of
citizens to exert power over underperforming institutions?”. It is the second of three documents,
the first being a literature review of published literature on Freedom of Information (including both
technical and non-technical issues), and is followed by a synthesis piece outlining ‘critical success
factors’, including recommendations for mySociety and future implementers of FOI filer sites.
Around 98 countries have implemented FOI laws, with many others in the process of implementing
legislation
and over 30 are known to have established FOI request sites, either official or those set
up by CSOs [Civil Society Organisations] such as mySociety.