"Clearly it was not the cost but the embarrassment of disclosure that was causing cold feet. But that was indeed the point of inquiries by the press and ordinary individuals - not to tie the Government in knots but to bring out into the open abuses that w

Not exactly news, but worth being reminded of periodically: "Refusals by government departments to disclose sensitive information have generated a backlog of complaints [with rhe Information Commissioner]."

"The future of [Ofcom's Sitefinder website] which details all the mobile phone masts in the UK is in doubt following a row over divulging "commercially sensitive" information." (Cough. Scrape! Cough.)

"A dead woman’s medical records should not be released because a duty of confidentiality survives her death, the Information Tribunal has ruled. …"

"The Information Commissioner Richard Thomas has marked [International Right to Know Day] by calling on public authorities to release more information proactively about their work."

"After two and half years of secrecy and prevarication, the Scottish government has been forced by the Scottish information commissioner, Kevin Dunion, to name those who have benefited most from agricultural subsidies in the past."