The results of a recent audit of P.E.I.'s freedom of information system does not paint an accurate picture of how well it's working, says a local newspaper publisher.

Newspaper publisher Paul MacNeill has had a far slower experience with information requests on P.E.I. CBC

The Newspapers Canada audit reviewed provincial governments, cities and hospitals across the country, and gave the P.E.I. government high marks. It had one of the fastest response times and disclosed most of the information it was asked for.

But Graphic publisher Paul MacNeill has a problem with the conclusion, given the review was based on only four, narrow questions.

"In Prince Edward Island four questions were asked. They were answered reasonably quickly. But as a real life user of the [Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy] Act, I can tell you that that's an anomaly," said MacNeill.

MacNeill is aware of at least one appeal for information that has been at the information and privacy commissioner's office for two years.

Limited audit

MacNeill would like to see the audit tackle more controversial questions.

Journalism professor Fred Vallance-Jones, who ran the audit, said the audit was never meant to be definitive. It is deliberately simple in the questions it asks, so government doesn't have an excuse for not releasing the information in a complete and timely manner.

"Then you're able to say in those places, 'Well, how come it took you two months to release something as simple as your social media policy?'" said Vallance-Jones.

Making relatively simple requests, ones that many governments did not answer, allows for the national audit to be completed in a reasonable period of time.

Vallance-Jones agreed getting a true reflection of how well the freedom of information system is working on P.E.I. would require a more in-depth audit.