If you are thinking of presenting an access to information request to a government body, it might mean that you have already tried other ways of getting the information and been frustrated. For many journalists, the first time they file an information request is as a last resort when other methods such as internet searches, phone calls, a conversation with a spokesperson and asking contacts inside the public institution have all failed. Some journalists prefer to try these “conventional” means before the sending off a formal legal request.

There are however occasions when you might not want to waste time with the other ways of getting information and you will go straight to filing an information request:

•    you are asking for information which is a bit sensitive and you want to be able to prove that you got it via legal channels using the law, in case the government later claims that the information was leaked or that it is incorrect or incomplete;

•     you suspect that you won’t get the information unless you use formal legal mechanism of the access to information law;

•    you suspect that you will be refused the information and you want to make sure that refusal is formal and in writing;

•    you are filing a request in a foreign country and you want to make sure that you are not discriminated against as a foreigner so you want to show that you know your rights by filing a formal request;

•    you think access to information is a really good thing and you want to defend  the right by using your access to information law as much as possible!