Information rights for journalism, academic research and commercial purposes
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The Data (Use and Access) Act 2026 got Royal Assent on 19 June 2026. All the provisions affecting data protection law and the Privacy and Electronic Regulations Communications are now in force. The Department for Science and Innovation (DSIT) has set out the commencement plans. You can find more details on the Gov.uk website.
This resource is for early-career journalists, or journalism students. It will introduce you to useful information rights provided by the Freedom of Information Act (2000) and the Environmental Information Regulations. It gives examples of how you can use those rights in your profession.
These slide-decks are similar presentations. One is aimed at academic researchers. The other is for small-to-medium enterprises who want to use information rights for commercial purposes.