What’s New
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22 September 2010
80 Countries Have FOI Laws, Tally by Vleugels Shows
National freedom of information laws exist in 80 countries, according to a new list issued by Dutch FOI analyst and publisher Roger Vleugels. Two countries — Indonesia and Russia – were added to his “A-list,” but four dropped off — Argentina, Kazakhstan, Spain and Saint Vincent & Grenadines. To make the A-list, a law must […]
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22 September 2010
Article 19 Proposes Global Right to Information Index
Article 19 Sept. 21 proposed a Global RTI Index, calling it “a new tool to compare and contrast right to information laws, highlighting weaknesses and best practices.” The working paper of the Global RTI Index describes a rating system with 14 categories and more than 180 indicators. The London-based group has tested its proposed tool by […]
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22 September 2010
Group Launches Consultation on Leaked Spanish FOI Bill
Access Info Europe Sept. 22 revealed a leaked copy of a draft Spanish access to information law and opened a public consultation on the nonpublic draft, which Access Info says “falls below prevailing European standards.” The group has posted a copy of the leaked document on its website. The government has not officially released its proposal, […]
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22 September 2010
Paraguayan NGOs Launch Campaign to Pass FOI Law
Leaders of nongovernment organizations in Paraguay have begun talking with congressional leaders about passing a freedom of information law. The groups have developed a draft law (in Spanish). “We are trying to get a broad consensus on the importance of having a legislative debate on a FOI law,” according to Ezequiel Santagada, an attorney […]
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17 September 2010
Revised POI Bill Still Objectionable, Groups Say
South Africa’s State Security Minister Siyabonga Cwele Sept. 17 proposed a few changes to the controversial Protection of Information bill, but critics called the concessions inadequate. In particular, Cwele said that “broad and vague concepts must be dropped from the body of the bill,” according to a summary of his statement. “In this regard, the […]
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17 September 2010
FOI Notes: Chinese Cities; FOI for the Media?, Grants
FOI Request for Rupert Murdoch? British Member of Parliament Dennis MacShane on Sept. 7 suggested that the UK FOIA should be extended to cover not just public authorities but also private media organizations and bodies which receive state funding, according to the International Forum for Responsible Media blog. China: Economics and Transparency Three political science professors […]
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16 September 2010
FOI Bill in Ghana Reaches Parliamentary Committee
Freedom of information legislation for Ghana has been referred to a parliamentary committee, according to supporters and media reports. The legislation was supported in remarks Sept. 16 by Deputy Minister for Information, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. He was quoted as saying that the government is commited to doing everything possible to ensure the passage of the […]
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16 September 2010
New Kenyan Constitution Guarantees Access Right
The new Kenyan Constitution guarantees the right of access to information, but the question is now turning to implementation. After winning 67 percent approval in a referendum, the Constitution went into effect Aug. 28, 2010. The relevant section of the new Kenyan Constitution states: Access to information 35. (1) Every citizen has the right of […]
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16 September 2010
Japan Denies Whaling Information to Greenpeace
The recent conviction of two anti-whaling activists in Japan was facilitated by the government’s denial of information about whale meat sales by a government-subsidized company, according to the environmental group Greenpeace. The “Tokyo Two” were convicted Sept. 6 of theft and trespass and given a one year jail sentence, suspended for three years. The Japanese […]
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10 September 2010
Argentine Congress Advancing FOI Law
Both houses of Argentina’s Congress are moving ahead with access to public information bills, and advocates are feeling optimistic. The Argentine Senate Sept. 9 approved “in general” an access to public information bill, and made plans for more detailed debate on its provisions on Sept. 30. In the House, the committees on Constitutional Affairs, Justice […]
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10 September 2010
FOI Notes: Blair on FOI, World Bank on Land
Blair’s Actions on FOI Exposed: An article by Maurice Frankel, published by the Campaign for Freedom of Information, discusses former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair’s obstruction of freedom of information, as disclosed in his just-published memoir. Although Blair says his views are based on experience of FOI in practice, the article says it is clear […]
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9 September 2010
Legal Impediments Seen to Accessing Government Data
Legal challenges face the burgeoning efforts to make government data more available, according to a draft report by Access Info Europe and the Open Knowledge Foundation. The 97-page report comprehensively surveys the accelerating “open data” movement and describes related weaknesses in existing right to know laws. Supporters of better access to information laws and activists on […]
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9 September 2010
Promises of FOI Bill in Antigua Questioned
President Bharrat Jagdeo of Antigua is promising action on a freedom of information bill, but observers are very skeptical. The president recently indicated he would bring up both a FOI bill and a broadcast bill in October when the National Assembly resumes. But in a statement, the opposition party People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), said, […]
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9 September 2010
Hearings on FOI Bill in Philippines Expected
Legislative hearings may begin soon on a freedom of information law for the Philippines after efforts to pass it were thwarted in June. According to a report by Christian V. Esguerra in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, “The ill-fated Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill may have found a new lease on life amid criticism of the manner […]
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3 September 2010
Liberian Senate Passes FOI Bill, President to Sign
The Liberian Senate Sept. 2 unanimously passed a freedom of information bill that the country’s president is expected to sign. Passage of the FOI law puts Liberia on the brink of history making in West Africa, according to Malcolm Joseph, the chairman of the Liberia Freedom of Expression Coalition. Liberia will become the first West […]
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3 September 2010
Nigerian Legislator Blames Media for Holding Up FOI Bill
A key Nigerian legislator has indicated that passage of a Freedom of Information bill is conditional on the inclusion of provisions concerning media responsibility. His position drew a rebuttal from groups supporting the long-stalled FOI bill. Iyiola Omisore, chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, “has blamed journalists for the delay of the passage of […]
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3 September 2010
Amendments to POI Possible, South African Official Says
A spokesman for the South African government said Sept. 2 that the controversial Protection of Information bill will be amended. The comment following a Cabinet meeting came as groups launched a campaign against the proposed law. (See related FreedomInfo.org report.) According to a media account, spokesperson Themba Maseko said the government welcomed the representations received […]
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3 September 2010
FOIA Notes: CSOs Under FOIA; EU Ombudsman
The Centre for Policy Research in New Delhi has issued a short policy brief that looks at the potential of the Right to Information Act in India as a tool to promote civil society accountability. India is among a few countries where the RTI Act applies to non-government organizations that are substantially financed directly and […]
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31 August 2010
Campaign Kicks Off Against South African FOI Proposal
Opponents of proposed legislation to scale back the South African Freedom of Information law Aug. 31 issued a civil society statement titled “Let the Truth Be Told! Stop the Secrecy Bill.” More than 180 organizations and 400 prominent individuals such as Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Nadine Gordimer signed the statement, which says, “This Bill fundamentally […]
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27 August 2010
FOIA Proposal Not Acted on by Spanish Ministers
An expected meeting of the Spanish Council of Ministers Aug. 20 on a yet-undisclosed proposal for a freedom of information law was not held, prompting calls for more transparency. Access Info wrote a letter to the Spanish government Aug. 25 asking for information about the draft “Law on Transparency and Citizen Access to Public Information.” […]