FOI review 'most comprehensive' since law began

The publication of the "most comprehensive review" into the island's FOI Law has been welcomed by a senior politician.

Assistant Chief Minister Deputy Malcolm Ferey said: "Despite its positive impact on openness and transparency, we are aware that the law has attracted criticism for its scope and the occasional withholding of politically sensitive information."

He said: "The review makes a series of recommendations aimed at strengthening the operation of the FOI system from within."

They include looking at introducing charges for requests from non-residents and a phased approach to including States-owned entities and arms length organisations in the law.

The review into the law was launched by the Council of Ministers in September and included a 12-week public consultation.

The Government of Jersey said the report showed early operation improvements were already being delivered but development was under way on a new digital FOI portal to "reduce administrative burden".

It said the review found internal improvements should be completed before FOI obligations to additional organisations.

The government said the consultation feedback showed "strong public support for transparency" but any expansion would need to be "proportionate, practical, and supported with guidance and preparation time".

The recommendations were:

• Investigating implementing required Publication Schemes
• Improve Part 3 of the Law relating to vexatious and repeated requests
• Investigate the options and viability for non-resident charges
• Improve the legal mechanism for including bodies under the FOI Law
• Use a phased approach when implementing further extensions to the scope of the Law

Ferey said: "A decade after its introduction, the Freedom of Information Law remains a vital pillar of transparency and accountability in our island. "

He said it allowed islanders to better understand how government decisions were made and how resources were used.

On Monday the Review Report, the Consultation Summary, and the 2025 FOI statistics were published.

Ferey added: "Sharing these reports demonstrates our commitment to openness and allows islanders to see both the progress we are making and the challenges we are addressing as we modernise the FOI system.

"Our objective in undertaking the review has been clear: To strengthen and modernise the law, ensuring that it remains fit for purpose in a rapidly changing world."

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