diff options
Diffstat (limited to 'app')
| -rw-r--r-- | app/views/help/about.rhtml | 104 |
1 files changed, 60 insertions, 44 deletions
diff --git a/app/views/help/about.rhtml b/app/views/help/about.rhtml index 6cfc853c3..91a029001 100644 --- a/app/views/help/about.rhtml +++ b/app/views/help/about.rhtml @@ -70,6 +70,66 @@ to hear from you too. </dd> +<dt id="focused">Why must I keep my request focused?<a href="#focused">#</a> </dt> + +<dd> + +<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> + +<ul> +<li>arguments about your cause</li> +<li>statements that could defame or insult others</li> +</ul> + +<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> +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> + +</dd> + +<dt id="fees">Does it cost me anything to make a request?<a href="#fees">#</a> </dt> + +<dd> + +<p>Making an FOI request is nearly always free.</p> + +<p>Sometimes an authority will reject your request, saying that the cost +of handling it exceeds £600 (for central government) or £450 (for all other +public authorities). At this point you can refine your +request. e.g. it would be much cheaper for an authority to tell you the amount +spent on marshmallows in the past year than in the past ten years. +.</p> + +<p>There are other rare cases where an authority may say that they want to charge you, such as for postage +or photocopying. Either way, don't worry, the authority cannot charge you unless you have +specifically agreed in advance to pay it. <a +href="http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/freedom_of_information/practical_application/chargingafee.pdf +">More details</a> from the Information Commissioner. </p> + +</p> + +</dd> + + + <dt id="quickly_response">How quickly will I get a response? <a href="#quickly_response">#</a> </dt> <dd> @@ -147,50 +207,6 @@ unwittingly, in a request, please <a href="/help/contact">contact us</a> immediately so we can remove it.</p> </dd> -<dt id="focused">Why must I keep my request focused?<a href="#focused">#</a> </dt> - -<dd> - -<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> - -<ul> -<li>arguments about your cause</li> -<li>statements that could defame or insult others</li> -</ul> - -<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> -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> <dt id="private_requests">I'd like to keep my request secret! (At least until I publish my story) <a href="#private_requests">#</a> </dt> |