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| -rw-r--r-- | app/views/help/about.rhtml | 49 |
1 files changed, 31 insertions, 18 deletions
diff --git a/app/views/help/about.rhtml b/app/views/help/about.rhtml index d0942320f..e10a198f7 100644 --- a/app/views/help/about.rhtml +++ b/app/views/help/about.rhtml @@ -152,31 +152,44 @@ immediately so we can remove it.</p> <dd> -<p>WhatDoTheyKnow's focus is entirely on Freedom of Information. This -makes the site clearer, and easier to understand. Please do not add arguments -about your cause to your request, or include statements which could -defame others. We may have to remove them in order to avoid problems with libel -law (it's a pain). +<p> +Please put in your request only what is needed so that someone can +easily identify what information you are asking for. Please do +<i>not</i> include any of the following: </p> -<p>We encourage you to run your campaign elsewhere. If you don't have one -already, you might like to <%= link_to 'start your own blog', "http://wordpress.com/"%>. -Please do add links to your campaign in annotations on your requests. -</p> +<ul> +<li>arguments about your cause</li> +<li>statements that could defame or insult others</li> +</ul> -<p>Succinct messages are easier for authorities to read, meaning -you get a quicker response. If you add extraneous, campaigning points -not strictly necessary to your request, then it may be more likely that you -will cause your request to go up the management chain, rather than just be -answered in a straightforward way by a junior officer. +<p> +If you do, we may have to remove your request to avoid problems with +libel law, which is a pain for both you and us. Short, succinct messages +make it easier for authorities to be clear what information you are +requesting, which means you will get a reply more quickly. </p> -<p>Finally, there is a limit on the amount an authority needs to spend -answering each request. If you ask for lots of information, the limit might be -exceeded, and you might get nothing. If requests are very complicated, you can -often simplify them by limiting the time period. +<p> +If you want information to support an argument or campaign, Freedom of +Information is a powerful tool. Although you may not use this site to +run your campaign, we encourage you to use it to get the information you +need. We also encourage to run your campaign elsewhere - one effective +and very easy way is to <%= link_to 'start your own blog', +"http://wordpress.com/"%>. You are welcome to link to your campaign +from this site in an annotation to your request (you can make +annotations after submitting the request). </p> +<p> +Finally, be aware that answering Freedom of Information requests costs +time and money. An authority can refuse to answer a request if it would +cost them too much, which may happen if you have asked for lots of +information. If your request is complicated, you can often simplify it +by limiting the time period you are asking about. For example it would +be much easier for an authority to tell you the amount spent on +marshmallows in the past year than in the past ten years. +</p> </dd> |