Freedom of Information requests are an important tool for journalists and the public to find out more about how government works.
Sometimes we get the answers we’re looking for, promptly, while on other occasions it can take longer or the information requested may not be available in the form we hoped.
There may be reasons for that, and we’ll continue to report on the responses we receive on their merits.
But as part of our commitment to transparency, Express is launching FOI Watch to let readers see what we’re asking the States of Guernsey through FOIs.
We’ll publish the questions at the point we submit them, before the responses arrive, so readers can see what we’re seeking to find out and follow the process for themselves.
Here are the three FOIs we’re starting with.
FOI 1: How does the States handle FOIs?
SENT: 1 September 2026 – WAITING FOR RESPONSE*
Our first FOI asks for a detailed picture of how the States of Guernsey’s Freedom of Information system operates, from the moment a request is submitted to the point a response is issued and published.
We’ve asked for figures on response times, the number of requests receiving full or partial answers, refusals and the exemptions used, as well as cases where the States says information is not held.
We’re also asking what happens when those decisions are challenged, including how many complaints and internal reviews result in information being released or an original decision being changed.
A key part of the request looks at who is involved in FOI decision-making, including senior civil servants, lawyers, elected members and States Communications, and what role each can play in the process.
We’re also asking how quickly FOI responses are published publicly after being sent to the original requester, including how often publication is delayed and why.
The information has been requested for 2019 to 2025, plus 2026 to the latest available date, where records exist.
The aim is to build a clearer picture of how the States’ FOI system performs over time, how decisions to disclose or withhold information are made, and how transparent the process is once a response has been issued.
Why have we asked this?
Express has used FOIs to investigate issues across government and, over time, we’ve encountered different experiences in terms of response times, the information provided and how requests are handled.
We want to understand whether those experiences are isolated or reflect wider patterns in the States’ FOI system.
We’re also seeking greater clarity about who is involved in the process, particularly the role of States Communications, and where responsibility for FOI decisions sits.
The request is therefore designed to give a clearer, evidence-based picture of how the system operates, how consistently it is applied and how transparent the process is for people seeking information from government.
FOI 2: How does the States handle Rule 14 questions?
SENT: 1 September 2026 – WAITING FOR RESPONSE*
This FOI looks at how Written Questions submitted by States Members under Rule 14 are administered, answered and published.
We’ve asked for figures showing how many questions are submitted, who submits them, how quickly they are answered and how often responses meet the applicable 15-day deadline.
We’re also asking about the resources used to answer Rule 14 questions, including how often officer time is recorded or estimated, how many hours are involved and whether any financial costs are calculated.
A particular focus is on the publication of officer-time information, including how often it has appeared alongside Rule 14 responses since 2024 and what policy or process governs when that information is published.
The request also looks at who is involved in preparing and approving responses, including senior officers, Committee Presidents, legal advisers and States Communications.
We’re asking how often responses are subsequently corrected, amended or replaced, and whether the States has any formal monitoring of Rule 14 workloads, response times, officer resources or compliance with the 15-day requirement.
The information has been requested for 2024, 2025 and 2026 to the date of the request.
Why have we asked this?
Rule 14 questions are one of the ways States Members can formally seek information from Committees and scrutinise the work of government.
Recent exchanges have raised questions about the time and resources involved in answering some Rule 14 questions, as well as when information about that officer time is published alongside responses.
We want to understand how widespread this is, whether officer time is routinely recorded or only in particular cases, and what determines when those figures are made public.
There have also been wider questions about how Rule 14 responses are prepared, reviewed and approved, including the roles played by civil servants, States Communications, legal advisers and elected members.
Rather than focusing on individual disputes, this FOI is intended to establish the facts about how the Rule 14 system operates, how much resource it uses and how information about that resource is communicated to the public.
The aim is to provide a clearer picture of the balance between the right of States Members to scrutinise government and the resources required to answer their questions.
FOI 3: How does the States respond to journalists?
SENT: 2 September 2026 – WAITING FOR RESPONSE*
This FOI looks at how the States of Guernsey handles enquiries from journalists, including how many it receives, how quickly they are answered and how often journalists are left waiting for a response.
We’ve asked for figures showing average and median response times, how many enquiries are answered within one, two, three and five working days, and how many remain outstanding or unanswered.
We’re also asking how often journalists have to follow up because a response has not arrived, including how many promised responses are not subsequently provided.
The request looks at how media enquiries are recorded and managed, whether there are formal response-time targets or service standards, and whether the States monitors its performance.
We’re also asking whether delays or non-responses are formally recorded or categorised, and whether enquiries are referred to Legal Services, States Communications, senior officers or elected members.
Finally, we’re asking about complaints or escalations from journalists, changes to the media-response process since 2019, and the staffing and resources allocated to media relations.
The information has been requested for 2019 to 2025, plus 2026 to the date of the request, where records exist.
Why have we asked this?
Express regularly needs answers from the States to report stories, often within a matter of hours rather than days or weeks.
Our experience has varied: some enquiries are dealt with quickly, while others require follow-up or take longer than the news cycle allows.
We want to understand whether those experiences are isolated or part of a wider pattern, and what expectations the States sets for responding to journalists.
We’re also interested in what happens behind the scenes, including who is involved in responding to media enquiries, how delays are handled and whether the States monitors its performance.
The aim is not to prejudge why individual responses may take time, but to build a clearer, evidence-based picture of how the system works and whether it provides timely access to information for journalists and, ultimately, the public.
* We will aim to publish response times as soon as practical receiving it.
